Bengaluru Tech Executive Exposes Unethical Job Interview Practice Using Google Chrome Extension

Job Seekers' Approach Raises Concerns Over Online Privacy

Google employee Divya Porwal has sparked a conversation about digital privacy and job-seeking boundaries after revealing that a stranger obtained her phone number using a browser tool and contacted her directly on WhatsApp seeking a job opportunity.

On March 6, 2026, Porwal shared her experience on X, where she received an unexpected WhatsApp message from a person asking for help in securing a job role. The individual had used a Chrome extension to extract her contact number instead of reaching out through professional platforms.

Porwal called out the approach, stating that such methods cross personal boundaries. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the appropriateness of unsolicited messages and the potential risks of online job seeking.

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Key figures:

• 9 months: The amount of time the individual had been struggling to land a tech role after graduating
• 1 user: Commented that they had also started receiving calls and messages from unknown people after posting about referral opportunities at Microsoft
• 1 user: Warned about potential loopholes on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, suggesting that users switch to email-based verification instead

Industry implications:

• The incident highlights the importance of digital privacy and the need for job seekers to be cautious when sharing personal contact information online
• It also raises concerns about the potential risks of using browser tools to extract phone numbers
• The conversation has sparked a wider discussion about the boundaries of online job seeking and the need for professionals to be mindful of their online presence.

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