You know how companies say they care about your privacy? Well, that flew out the window when researchers uncovered a hidden tracking method used by Facebook (Meta) and Russia’s Yandex. They weren’t just collecting cookies or tracking pixels.
They were doing something a lot sneakier, and the moment researchers published their findings, Meta pulled the plug - for now.
Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Yandex Maps were quietly waiting in the background on your phone, ready to receive messages. When you visit a website that uses their tracking code, like a Facebook ad or Like button, the code on that site sends a message straight to the app on your phone.
This wasn’t a bug. It was deliberate and designed to get around your choices and your browser’s protections.