Are Google, WhatsApp spying users for targeted ads?

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Money—for thee, ethics can go take a hike!

Two of the largest social media majors namely, Google and WhatsApp have been accused of allegedly spying on users to determine their likes and dislikes, the findings of which can be shared for serving targeted ads.

Revealing the startling findings, cyber security firm Avast said that the users however, are aware about being the targets.

He firms CEO was however, quick to add that Google being an advertising company, depends on revenue from AdWords. “Spying on users, getting what they are interested in and serving them advertisement are what their business model is. There is nothing inherent wrong with it. Users know what's going on, I think," Vincent Steckler, CEO, Avast, told reporters on the sidelines of release of Avast findings on cyber security and unveiling of anti-theft mobile security software.

He also alleged that WhatsApp breaches data privacy of users.

"In order to use WhatsApp, you have to share your entire contact database. Which means you provided all your friends and colleagues contact details to Facebook. Do you have right to do that?" Mr Steckler said.

He said that users also breach privacy of their acquaintances by sharing contact details to use applications on mobile phones.

"Did you ask all of your friends and colleagues to share their personal and private information with Facebook? That's another biggest user of privacy. WhatsApp is a data collector to serve you advertising inside Facebook. ... You get advertisement on Facebook based on conversation you had on WhatsApp," Steckler informed.

While Google refused to comment on the allegations, its privacy policy page said, "When you use our services, you trust us with your information. Data enables us to provide our services like Search, Gmail, and Maps. Data also helps us show relevant ads, so we can make our services free for everyone."

Facebook has not commented on the issue so far.