Facebook's Onavo VPN Is A Spyware That Collect And Analyze User Data In iOS Devices

Facebook is starting to promote the Onavo VPN client directly within the Facebook app for iOS devices. A link to the Onavo VPN client is av...

Facebook is starting to promote the Onavo VPN client directly within the Facebook app for iOS devices. A link to the Onavo VPN client is available for Facebook app in the US under a new "Protect" section of the Facebook navigation menu. While the name sounds to provide user with security, it is actually designed to collect and analyze users data to improve the company's products and services.

Onavo's app description claims that it will "keep your data safe while you browse" and let you know when you "visit potentially malicious or harmful websites," Facebook's real aim with Onavo is tracking user activity across multiple different apps to learn insights about how its customer base uses third-party apps. Here is a quote from the app description:

Onavo collects your mobile data traffic. This helps us improve and operate the Onavo service by analyzing your use of websites, apps and data. Because we're part of Facebook, we also use this info to improve Facebook products and services, gain insights into the products and services people value, and build better experiences.

As reported by the WSJ, by using Onavo data, Facebook was able to determine that the Instagram Stories feature was impacting Snapchat's business ahead when Snap disclosed slowing user growth. This is definitely a essentially spyware which allowing Facebook to draw conclusions about app usage from aggregated data.

As of now, Onavo for iOS and Android has been installed on more than 33 million devices, according to Sensor Tower, with 62 percent of those installs on Android, and 38% on iOS devices. Facebook, which bought the Israeli security company in 2013, now points to its software in a tab in its mobile app marked "Protect."

Via MacRumors And 9to5Mac