Possibly another scummy behavior from fucking Meta.

So I try my best to avoid url tracking. I set the default browser on my android phone to this app: https://github.com/TrianguloY/UrlChecker

I also made sure to turn off the “Open supported links” settings from aps like Instagram.

So usually, if someone shares Instagram links to WhatsApp, usually with the url tracking, I can clean them up first using UrlChecker before opening it in Instagram app.

Recently I noticed if I tap on Instagram links, WhatsApp will immediately open it in Instagram, ignoring Android’s default browser setting to open the link with UrlChecker first.

I thought something was broken, but if I open non-instagram links, those will open UrlChecker app.

Can you please help check if the behavior is the same on your side? So I can be sure that I’m not crazy. Thanks!

    • felbane@lemmy.ml
      7·
      1 year ago

      On Android these are called Intents and yeah it sounds like Metaface is specifically using the Instagram intent when opening an Instagram URL rather than the default browser intent.

        • narwhal@lemmy.mlOP
          2·
          1 year ago

          Aw shucks…

          For now I just have to remember not to automatically click on IG links. Need to copy and clean it up first 😔

          Thanks.

        • Natanael@slrpnk.net
          1·
          1 year ago

          It depends on what you’re mimicking. Just registrering the URL scheme? Any app can do that. Mimicking a signed APK with full package name? Can’t do that without root and privacy plugins for Magisk.

    • TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml
      33·
      1 year ago

      Not a guess. It is exactly how it should be done, and my suggestion as well in another comment, before I read yours.