Hello Steemians,

Recently, I found that many of the Indian FB groups were filled with invitation link for Facebook Research conducting by uTest. Facebook Research by uTest is giving a mind blowing deal where you have to install their FaceBook Research Android App and leave it as it is, after a month or so you will get payouts via paypal. Seriously you do not have to do anything, just install and keep it as it is for months and they will pay you for that! At first sight, it looks like an awesome deal but NO! do not fall for this!. uTest is paying hefty money to the participants of this survey going with a name FaceBook Research. This all started happening after FB's privacy and security news and relations with Cambridge Analytica. These invitations are increasing day by day, so I went on google and started finding clues for this program. First I went on utest's official site to confirm this program.

uTest's - Facebook Research Program

• I know that uTest is one of the most trusted company but in terms of data privacy, we even can't stand strong with social data king FaceBook.
• uTest didn't state that why they are conducting this test or survey, just to leave that app running in the background? And background for what?
• I haven't installed this app just to safeguard my device, however, I tried to communicate with the people who are using this app and all they know is about payouts, they don't care about their privacy or data.
• "Earn as much as you want" these are the lines which tell that this app is something different from what they are saying. This app isn't focused on FaceBook Research or so!

VPN!

• Few of the Facebook Research (uTest) Android App users found that a VPN is getting activated when they launch this app. If India is their survey location then why there is a need for any VPN?
• Just for general people, "VPN is a networking application which changes your current (Public)IP address to some other country's IP, It is mostly used to mock your IP address so if someone tries to see me via my IP they will see different country and not the original country or location!"
• A suppot ticket for the same reason is submitted, a member of uTest forum replied that "this is an old integration and they will work to remove it from their app!" Still, no update and VPN is there as it is.

Money Game!

• Users said that Facebook Research app is tracking their activity like browsing the internet and other in-app activities and in return uTest is paying them!
• Few users are getting their payouts whereas few of the users are not getting an even single penny after running in this program actively.
• Now the question is will you install such apps for a payout of $5/Month? Selling data is good? Is this the ethical way to run a survey or program?
• Running VPN, tracking activities? This Facebook Research (uTest) Android App is not available on PLAYSTORE and the reason is their unethical activities which do not comply with Google's policies.

Will you sell your data? What are your views on this survey program? Let me know in the comment section...