Is Facebook Messenger app tracking your privacy?

Image
IANS New York
Last Updated : Sep 19 2014 | 10:15 AM IST

The new Facebook Messenger app, that has been downloaded over 500 million times on Android-based devices, may have spyware that keeps an eye on your chats and other information, claims an internet security specialist.

According to Jonathan Zdziarski, "messenger appears to have more spyware type code in it intended specifically for enterprise surveillance", the website motherboard.com reported.

"There is a lot of code that suggests Facebook is running analytics on nearly everything it possibly can monitor on your device," Zdziarski said in a twitter post.

After looking through the binary, Zdziarski said the app logs almost everything a user is doing.

A spokesperson for the social networking site, however, denied the claim.

"Privacy is core to our approach with Messenger and like any developer, we analyse usage trends to make our apps better, faster, and more efficient," the spokesperson told Gizmodo.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 19 2014 | 10:14 AM IST

Next Story