Facebook was secretly spying on the web browsing history of Android users, including those with Samsung Galaxy phones, since September. The company had installed a tracking tool called Meta Pixel on millions of websites to deliver targeted ads through its apps.
The Meta Pixel exploited a feature in Android that allowed apps to run a server and exchange files silently. This enabled Facebook to link web browsing sessions, cookies, and metadata to user identities, even if users were logged into its apps. The practice was not disclosed to users or website owners, according to researchers who discovered it.
Google is taking action, stating that the practice violates its security and privacy policy. An update for Chrome is in the works to prevent similar practices in the future. Facebook has said it’s in talks with Google over a “misunderstanding” regarding application of Google’s policies.
The discovery highlights the lengths companies like Meta will go to track users through any means necessary, often without permission. The company has since removed most of the code that enabled this spying after researchers made their findings public.
Source: https://www.sammobile.com/news/facebook-was-spying-on-your-galaxy-phones-web-browsing-since-september