Meta and Russian search engine Yandex have been secretly tracking what Android users do on their web browsers—even when users are in private or incognito mode—according to experts from Radboud University and IMDEA Networks.
Researchers discovered that Meta’s apps like Facebook and Instagram, and Yandex’s apps such as Yandex Maps, were running hidden scripts in the background on Android phones. These scripts sent browser activity data back to the apps without users knowing or giving consent.
This bypasses Android’s security rules and breaks privacy protections built into browsers and the Android system itself.
Google confirmed these companies used Android features "in unintended ways that blatantly violate our security and privacy principles."
Meta said it’s investigating the issue and paused the tracking feature while working with Google. Yandex denied collecting sensitive data and said the feature only improves personalization in their apps.
The covert tracking by Meta reportedly lasted about eight months and involved data from 16,000 websites in the EU. Yandex has been doing this since 2017, with data from 1,300 sites.
Major browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and DuckDuckGo were affected, but Mozilla and DuckDuckGo have taken steps to block this kind of tracking.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stori...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 28th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States and Iran clashed at the United Nations on Monday over Tehran's nuclear programme and its selection to be one of dozens of vice presidents at a month-long conference to review the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
It's doubtful that Iran's proposal on resolving the two-month war will be accepted by President Donald Trump, an official source said, dampening hopes for a resolution to the conflict that has disrupted energy supplies, fuelled inflation, and killed thousands.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
Disney+ has debuted Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, a new collection of animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL), released on 27 April to mark National Deaf History Month.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Market reaction to DeepSeek’s preview of its next-generation artificial intelligence model has been relatively subdued, in sharp contrast to the global shock triggered by its breakthrough releases last year.
Adidas shares rose after Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday (26 April), becoming the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours.
China’s reaction to the latest tensions around Iran has been firm in tone but restrained in action. It has condemned strikes, called for dialogue and stepped up diplomacy but shown no sign of military involvement or appetite for escalation.
Market reaction to DeepSeek’s preview of its next-generation artificial intelligence model has been relatively subdued, in sharp contrast to the global shock triggered by its breakthrough releases last year.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said it's installing software on its employees computers to capture keystrokes and mouse movements to use to train its artificial intelligence (AI) agent models.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker XPeng says it expects to begin delivering its flying cars in 2027, as the company pushes ahead with plans to bring futuristic transport closer to everyday use.
China’s software and information technology services industry is on track to exceed 20 trillion yuan (around $2.9 trillion), underscoring the country’s rapid digital expansion and growing influence in the global technology sector.
Taiwan’s rising prominence in the global artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain has powered a significant stock market rally, driven by soaring demand for advanced chips and servers.
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