WhatsApp has reportedly exposed the phone numbers of its web users on Google Search via indexing. This means that anybody with the right search query can find your personal number on Google very easily. The search result will showcase the number only, and not your name. However, with a simple Truecaller search your identity can also be detected. Also Read - Signal down due to huge user influx; company working on a fix
According to Rajshekhar Rajaharia, an internet security researcher, phone numbers of WhatsApp web users have appeared on Google Search. In his tweet, Rajaharia stated that this is the third time that this has happened. He also states that Google is also indexing the text messages of users. Also Read - WhatsApp delays privacy policy update; you now have time until May 15 to accept
15 Jan 2021, If you are using @WhatsApp Web, your Mobile Number and Messages are being index by @Google again. Don’t know why WhatsApp is still not monitoring their website and google. This is 3rd time.#Infosec #Privacy #infosecurity #GDPR #Whatsapp #Privacy #Policy #Google pic.twitter.com/D6o1emxDgv Also Read - Signal tips and tricks: Here's how to use this WhatsApp rival
— Rajshekhar Rajaharia (@rajaharia) January 15, 2021
In a statement to IANS, Rajaharia stated, “The leak is happening via WhatsApp on Web. If someone is using WhatsApp on a laptop or on an office PC, the mobile numbers are being indexed on Google Search. These are mobile numbers of individual users, not business numbers.”
In a follow-up tweet, he also mentions that WhatsApp is using a “Robots.txt” file and a “disallow all” setting, instructing search engines not to index anything. However, Google is still indexing the data and showing it in search results.
This time, @WhatsApp is actually using a “Robots.txt” file and a “disallow all” setting, so they are instructing @Google not to index anything. Google is still Indexing.#InfoSec
— Rajshekhar Rajaharia (@rajaharia) January 15, 2021
@Google Search Indexing Rules/Facts#InfoSec pic.twitter.com/6K7Z6IG5P1
— Rajshekhar Rajaharia (@rajaharia) January 15, 2021
To recall, WhatsApp group chat links were also indexed on Google search recently, allowing people to simply search the name of the group and then join it. The issue was soon resolved with the removal of all such links.
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