Meta Caught Spying on Competitors: Secret “Ghostbusters” Project Targeted Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon
Facebook’s Parent Company in Hot Water
Meta, the social media giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is facing accusations of spying on its competitors. Newly revealed court documents expose a covert operation codenamed “Ghostbusters” that targeted Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon.
Zuckerberg Spearheaded the Initiative
The documents show that Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, spearheaded the project in 2016. Driven by Snapchat’s rapid growth and a desire to understand its user base, Zuckerberg reportedly sought data on Snapchat’s user activity and internal metrics.
Cracking the Code: Unethical Data Collection
Meta, then known as Facebook, partnered with its own web analytics company, Onavo, led by Guy Rosen. Together, they devised a method to intercept user data from Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon before it reached their servers. This technique, known as SSL bumping, essentially eavesdropped on users’ encrypted communications.
Years of Spying: Beyond Snapchat
The “Ghostbusters” project spanned from June 2016 to early 2019, focusing on Snapchat for the first few years before expanding to include YouTube and Amazon in 2017 and 2018. Meta allegedly used this data to gain valuable insights into its competitor’s strategies and user behavior.
Legal Repercussions: Lawsuit Filed
Meta is now facing a lawsuit for its actions. The accusations center on “anti-competitive conduct and exploiting user data through deceptive practices.” This case raises serious concerns about Meta’s ethical conduct and its potential misuse of user data.
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