Google’s indexing of WhatsApp numbers raises privacy concerns

Google is indexing the phone numbers used on WhatsApp, and a researcher is concerned that it could cause privacy issues or be used for malicious purposes.

Earlier this year, Bleeping Computer reported how invite links to private groups of messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram were visible on Google, letting anyone join the groups.

This week, security researcher Athul Jayaram highlighted an issue with WhatsApp’s “wa.me” domain “leaking” contact phone numbers on Google.

The ‘wa.me’ domain is owned by WhatsApp and is used to host ‘click to chat‘ links that “allows you to begin a chat with someone without having their phone number saved in your phone’s address book.”

Continue reading on Bleeping Computer >

Ax Sharma

Ax Sharma is a UK-based security researcher, journalist and TV subject matter expert experienced in malware analysis and cybercrime investigations. His areas of interest include open source software security and threat intel analysis. Frequently featured by leading media outlets like the BBC, Channel 5, Fortune, WIRED, The Register, among others, Ax is an active community member of the OWASP Foundation and the British Association of Journalists (BAJ).

Recent Posts

8 Brutal Truths About Cybersecurity I Wish I Knew

When I first got into cybersecurity, I thought it was all about hackers in hoodies…

12 hours ago

US Air Force Probes Potential SharePoint-Linked Privacy Breach

The US Air Force is investigating a “privacy-related issue” that may have exposed personally identifiable…

2 days ago

Harrods third-party breach exposes 430,000 customer records, hackers reach out

London’s iconic department store Harrods has disclosed that approximately 430,000 customer records were compromised in…

4 days ago

WestJet confirms customer ID, passports stolen in June cyberattack

WestJet confirmed that in a June 2025 cybersecurity incident, a “sophisticated, criminal third party” gained…

4 days ago

Did You Also Get a ‘Real’ Phishing Email From GitHub.com?

Imagine getting an email straight from GitHub’s own notification system: the same one you've trusted…

7 days ago

World’s Largest Supply Chain Cyber Attack… And just 5 Cents Stolen?

You probably saw the headlines: the world’s largest npm supply chain attack, chalk and debug-js…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.