Last week, it was revealed that Facebook was using a VPN to collect data on some users. These users voluntarily installed software that could monitor all their phone activity, including web and app usage, and send it back to the social network for analysis. Although participants were paid to allow Facebook’s VPN to spy on them, the practice was against Apple. In fact, according to Apple’s policy, apps are not allowed to install anything on users’ phones to collect their data and sell it to third-party apps and companies. This news is certainly bad for Facebook’s reputation, but it reminds us that VPNs are not as innocent as we think.
What is VPN?
A VPN is a piece of software that acts as a wall between users and network service providers (ISPs). It acts like an “invisible shield.” Before a user’s network activity is seen by their ISP, it is encrypted by the VPN. In fact, the VPN knows exactly what is happening, but the ISP doesn’t. The whole point is to hide data from an ISP. In some cases, this is for certain purposes, such as shopping on the Dark Web, but in other cases it is completely innocent, as a VPN can be used to access a site that you wouldn’t be able to access without it. In the case of the Facebook Research App, the VPN is used to keep user information for marketing purposes.
Facebook had previously attempted to do the same thing, as it had purchased an app called Onavo and created an app called the “Onavo Project.” In reality, the Onavo Project directed all user activity to servers . According to the company, Facebook used this information to improve its services but essentially wanted it for advertising purposes. At that time, Apple took the same measures and removed Onavo from the App Store, as it violated its policies.
According to Ariel Hochstadt, a former Google, unfortunately, VPNs that actually keep us safe are few and far between. As a general rule, if they are free, they are paid for by the user in some way. Furthermore, according to Hochstadt, the Chinese government creates and offers free VPNs to customers, which are used to spy on online activity. In case you are looking to install free VPNs, confirm in the terms and policies that there is no logging of user data. If this is not stated somewhere, stay away from their services!
Of course, in the case of Facebook, users weren't actively looking for a network to block their activity from service providers. Facebook simply offered them a service and actually paid them to use it. This can be seen as an unacceptable service from the social media giant.
