‘Not okay’: Bengaluru Google techie calls out job seeker for getting her phone number via Chrome extension

Google techie calls out job seeker for extracting her number

A software professional working at Google in Bengaluru has raised concerns about online privacy after revealing that a stranger allegedly obtained her phone number using a browser tool and contacted her directly on WhatsApp seeking a job opportunity. The incident, which she shared on X, quickly went viral and sparked a wider conversation about job-seeking boundaries and digital privacy.

The techie, identified as Divya Porwal, said she received an unexpected WhatsApp message from a person asking for help in securing a job role. According to her post, the individual had used a Chrome extension to extract her contact number instead of reaching out through professional platforms.

Techie calls out approach

Calling out the approach, Porwal said such methods cross personal boundaries. In her post, she wrote, “This is literally not the correct way to ask for help. Using some Chrome extension to find my number and then messaging me directly is a breach of privacy. Whatever your situation is, this is not okay. If you genuinely need help, reach out through proper channels. I’m definitely not going to help in this way.”

This is literally not the correct way to ask for help. Using some Chrome extension to find my number and then messaging me directly is a breach of privacy. Whatever your situation is, this is not okay. If you genuinely need help, reach out through proper channels. I’m definitely… pic.twitter.com/Tqh9nWtfZR

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— Divya Porwal (@divyaporwal_) March 6, 2026

Along with the post, she shared a screenshot of the conversation. When she asked the person how he obtained her phone number, the individual admitted that it was through a Chrome extension. He also explained that he had been struggling to land a tech role even nine months after graduating and was currently working in a non-technical position.

Porwal’s post soon attracted widespread attention online, with many users sharing similar experiences of receiving unsolicited messages after discussing job referrals publicly. One user commented that they had also started receiving calls and messages from unknown people after posting about referral opportunities at Microsoft, adding that while job seekers may be desperate to try every possible route, such approaches are not appropriate.

Others expressed surprise that personal contact numbers could be accessed through browser tools. One user wrote that it was alarming to learn that such extensions could extract phone numbers.

Some commenters also warned about potential loopholes on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. A user noted that if a phone number is linked to multi-factor authentication on LinkedIn, there may be ways for people to scrape the number even if it is set to private, suggesting that users switch to email-based verification instead.

While many supported Porwal’s stance, a few users responded with humour, with one remarking that if the person could find numbers through such methods, he might be better suited for a cybersecurity role.