Technology

Private WhatsApp chats easily discoverable in Google searches

A simple Google search lets you can gain access to private chat groups on WhatsApp

Tech Desk February 22, 2020

PHOTO: REUTERS

Google is logging invite links to WhatsApp group chats. With a basic search, anyone can find and join private chats including ones the group admin may want to keep private.

Facebook had knowledge about the aforementioned flaw for the past few months but failed to put it right.

According to twitter user @hackrzvijay, the social media platform was notified about this security flaw and yet the company failed to do anything to fix it.

I reported to facebook in early november pic.twitter.com/QB7pHsz5vu

— HackrzVijay 💻 (@hackrzvijay) February 21, 2020

The user messaged Facebook in hopes to receive a cash bounty in return for reporting the security glitch however, the social media platform refused on the grounds that ability for anyone to find invite codes online for private WhatsApp chat groups is “an intentional product decision.”

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However, Vice affirms that WhatsApp group invites are not as private as it seems because a simple Google lets you can gain access to private chat groups.

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The search engine giant uses crawlers to index URLs across the internet and hence it is very easy for websites and apps to place a line of code on pages that tells these Google crawlers not to index the information there.

If you want to test this out then simply start with a “chat.whatsapp.com” string and then enter in some information specific to your chat reported Vice.

This article originally published on Android Authority.

COMMENTS (1)

Biny Amin Khan | 1 year ago | Reply Former MNA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Bajaur ZK Zafar Khan reacting to the arrest of Azam Swati has given a statement to media representatives that there is no freedom in a society a country and a state where there is no justice. Can t be done and humanity can t get dignity and respect. Due to the lack of justice and rule of law the law of the jungle comes into existence where the example of whose stick is the buffalo is seen practically everywhere. It seems that the society country or state starts to go down day by day justice and rule of law is one of the first signs of development prosperity and peace for every society every society where the word of justice is high. In the eyes of the law the rich the poor the high officials the politicians and the common citizens are equal such societies develop automatically and their honor and prestige increases in the eyes of other nations and societies of the world. Economic paths become smooth other countries of the world are ready to trust such societies and nations and with them political economic social And they try to improve the diplomatic relations as well as maintain them but where there is no justice and no supremacy of law all other evils arise automatically such as theft nepotism abuse of law Marriott s bankruptcy abuse of powers etc. and this has been the tragedy of Pakistan for 75 years China came after Pakistan but today China is trying to become a superpower India s economy is much stronger than that of Pakistan today. and in all respects if compared to Pakistan it looks better the main reason is justice and the supremacy of law 14 bodies were dropped in Model Town Lahore but the families of these victims are still fighting for justice even after years have passed. 265 workers were burnt alive in a garment factory in Karachi but till today it is not known who started the fire and who is responsible despite Rao Anwar s involvement in extrajudicial killings. They are still running around today those who steal billions and trillions are holding big positions today. And on the other hand dozens of FIRs have been filed against Arshad Sharif Shaheed Imran Riaz and Azam Swati. He was targeted for revenge Azam Swati was freed from the Balochistan government today on the order of the court to be arrested again by the Sindh police where is this justice and where is the law in this society the law is only for revenge. It moves and is used by the powerful and for the families of victims like Model Town law and justice is nothing less than a nightmare until justice and the rule of law are fully enforced in this country and The society will go towards degradation day by day and its end will probably be more obvious there is still time the rulers can save this country and society from destruction by taking the nails of their senses and the only way is justice and the supremacy of law.

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