(Image source from: Is UC Browser safe?})

A Canada based research group has found flaws in Chinese and English-language versions of UC Browser, developed by UCWeb Inc. The mobile web browser is popular in India and China for its easy operation and fast loading.

Citizen Lab, based at the University of Toronto, said that the browser is developed to facilitate get third parties personally identifiable information like location, search details and mobile subscriber and device numbers.

The transmission of this information “represents a privacy risk for users because it allows anyone with access to the data traffic to identify users and their devices, and collect their private search data”, it said in a report.

However, Alibaba spokesman Bob Christie, cleared that the problems were resolved and customers notified of an update to the browser after Citizen Lab brought the issues to Alibaba’s attention in April. But, none from UCWeb responded on this issue.

“By leaking a large volume of fine-grained data points to multiple network operators, the UC Browser app is increasing the risks to its users that such data may be used against them by authorities, criminals, or other third parties,” Citizen Lab said.

Alibaba acquired UCWeb by owning a maximum stake last June at a whopping deal of more than $1 billion. We have to see whether the claims of Citizen Lab are true and the UC Browser is found to leak data or not from further reports and notifications.

 -Kannamsai