There where more pages then that but that's what I care to share. Things with Facebook are getting out of hand. So be aware of Facebook's activity tracking, because the nature of the data they collect from us is ridiculous! It's estimated that Facebook/meta classifies between 50,000 and 54,000 traits about each one of us!
This extreme profiling includes our behavioral patterns, our sexual preferences, things that interest us, and even data about our personality and if we're addicted to drugs, and they keep track of our habits! There was an interesting study done by Consumer Reports, that revealed the extent of data sharing between varies companies and Meta, was place in the spotlight with grave concerns around user privacy and the implications of pervasive data collection. There data collection is very rapish and seems to law breaking. They hide behind their A.I.
system, and play their little games but Facebook has been under scrutiny for years. Facebook has been known to intentionally hold back African American content and overly sexualize black men and take down our content, but allow other races and ethnicities go viral over the same types of content. This is another story for another time. Let's stick with the data issue and everyy you need to know....
What’s more, disturbing is you don’t even need to be an active user—or have an account at all—on Facebook for them to collect your data through their extensive network manipulations and third-party integrations. Meta is paying most these people to help them stalk and track us like they're the fucking mafia or something. This is not ok, and no one reading this—is safe using meta unless you follow the things I'm educating you about.
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Types of Data Facebook Collects
There are different kinds of data that Facebook collects on all of us, and I’ve categorized them into four different types: let's get into it.
Meta software code is integrated into mobile apps and websites to track user behavior beyond Meta’s platforms, enabling extensive data collection that underpins targeted advertising.
Let’s take a look at each of these individually.
Explicit Data
Explicit data is the information you voluntarily provide to Facebook. Meta software code included in various mobile applications and websites collects user data through tracking pixels and server-to-server interactions. This includes data such as:
Photos: Each photo you upload carries a wealth of data, from the image content to metadata like location and camera type (see metadata below).
Educational Background: Details like where you went to school, your degree, and graduation year.
Likes and Interactions: Each like, share, and comment you make provides insight into your interests and social connections.
Woman browsing Facebook
Over the years that you’ve been using Facebook, you’ve probably given them a lot more explicit data than you realize!
Metadata
Beyond the explicit data, Facebook collects the mostly hidden metadata, including: Meta tracking pixels embedded on websites allow Facebook to gather data about user interactions.
EXIF Data: Embedded in photos, revealing camera type, date, time, and GPS coordinates. This allows Facebook to map out your movements and lifestyle habits.
Device Information: IP address, phone type, operating system, and precise location data gathered from the Facebook app. This data helps in creating a detailed digital fingerprint of your online and offline activities.
Facebook has even been known to exploit your mobile device notifications to collect more metadata about you.
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Off-Facebook Activity
Off-Facebook activity is exactly what it sounds like – the internet activities you do that are not on Facebook. Server-to-server tracking allows Facebook to collect data from your internet activities even when you are not on their platform. This involves tracking your internet activity through:
Facebook Pixel: Installed on over 8 million websites, tracking your actions across the web. This pixel allows websites to monitor visitor actions and share that data with Facebook for ad targeting.
Facebook Buttons: Like, Share, and login buttons on various sites. Each interaction with these buttons sends data back to Facebook, enhancing their understanding of your web behavior.
Even if you never visit the Facebook webpage or app on your device or browser, Facebook is still collecting data on your actions, which is scary.ry.
Third-Party Data
Third-party data is the kind of data that Facebook receives from other companies about you. A consumer reports study highlights the extensive data sharing practices of various companies with Meta, emphasizing the scale of data sharing and its implications for user privacy. This data is generally collected from:
Advertisers: Uploading your purchase history and interactions, providing Facebook with insights into your spending habits and preferences.
Various Industries: Including automotive, retail, and credit monitoring services, which contribute additional layers of data about your activities and financial status.
How Facebook Uses Data Collection
Facebook’s data collection practices are at the heart of its business model, driving both its advertising services and user experience enhancements. Without it, the company wouldn’t make money and would go belly-up.
The data collected is meticulously analyzed to create highly targeted ads, which are more likely to capture user interest and engagement. You’ve probably seen this targeting at work in your own Facebook feed – it’s surprisingly good! This targeted advertising is not just about selling products; it’s about understanding user preferences, behaviors, and needs to deliver ads that feel relevant and timely.
Beyond advertising, Facebook leverages the data collected to refine its services. For instance, the platform uses this data to suggest friends, groups, and content that align with your interests. This personalized experience is designed to keep users engaged and active on the platform, ensuring that Facebook remains an integral part of their daily digital lives.
Facebook’s Tracking Methods
Facebook employs a variety of sophisticated tracking methods to gather data on its users and their behavior. These methods are embedded in both Facebook’s own platform and across the wider web, making it challenging to escape their reach.
Meta Pixel (aka Facebook Pixel)
The Meta Pixel, formerly known as the Facebook Pixel, is a small piece of code embedded in millions of websites. This powerful tool tracks user website interactions, capturing data on page views, clicks, and conversions.
Meta Pixel tracking a user
By monitoring these actions, Facebook can build a detailed profile of your online behavior, even when you’re not on their platform. The Meta Pixel also facilitates cross-device tracking, ensuring that your activities on different devices and browsers are seamlessly connected.
Custom Events
Custom events are another layer of Facebook’s tracking arsenal. These are user-defined actions that website owners can set up to monitor specific behaviors, such as completing a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
By tracking these custom events, Facebook can gather more granular data, which is invaluable for creating highly targeted ads and enhancing the user experience. This level of detail allows advertisers to tailor their campaigns to specific actions, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.
By understanding these tracking methods, you can better appreciate the extent of Facebook’s data collection practices and take steps to protect your privacy.
How to Limit Facebook’s Data Collection
While Facebook’s data collection might seem overwhelming, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy. Implementing data minimization technologies can help limit the amount of data collected to only what is necessary for providing services. These steps aren’t going to completely stop Facebook from tracking you, but it’s a good and worthwhile start.
Delete the Facebook App
Recommendation: Use Facebook through a browser like Firefox to reduce metadata collection. Deleting the Facebook app can also limit the data collected through Meta’s technology. This limits Facebook’s ability to access your phone’s detailed metadata.
Action: Lock down your privacy settings and use the “Ask App not to Track” feature on iOS devices to further restrict data collection.
A person deleting the Facebook app on an iPhone
Use Privacy-Focused Browsers
Browsers: Brave or Firefox are recommended for their strong privacy features. Using privacy-focused browsers can limit the data collected through Meta technologies, which include platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
Tools: Use the Facebook Container extension on Firefox to limit Facebook’s tracking across other websites. This extension confines Facebook’s tracking to its own site, preventing it from following you around the web.
Use the Brave browser
Manage Off-Facebook Activity
Steps: Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity.
Action: Turn off future activity tracking and clear your history. This stops Facebook from associating your web activity with your Facebook profile, reducing ad targeting effectiveness. Managing off-Facebook activity can also limit the data collected through server-to-server data, which is often used to transfer user information between servers and platforms like Meta.
Make Your Profile Private
Action: Limit who can see your friends, location, and other personal information. Consumer Reports calls for stronger data privacy regulations to protect user privacy. Adjust your settings to restrict visibility to friends only or customize for specific audiences.
Settings: Use Facebook’s privacy checkup tool to adjust your profile visibility. This helps in ensuring that only trusted connections can see your sensitive information.
Be Cautious with Photo Uploads
EXIF Data: Remove this data before uploading photos to protect your location and device information. Consumer Reports identified problems with data privacy practices related to photo uploads, highlighting the importance of managing your EXIF data.
Method: On an iPhone, use the Photos app to toggle location data off before sharing. This simple step prevents Facebook from accessing your photo’s embedded metadata.
Limit Voluntary Information Sharing
Action: Avoid checking into locations, tagging photos, and participating in quizzes. These activities provide Facebook with additional data points about your preferences and movements.
Long-Term Impact: Over time, reducing voluntary data input decreases Facebook’s ability to build a comprehensive profile on you.
Final Thoughts on Facebook Privacy
In today’s digital age, avoiding data tracking entirely is nearly impossible. A Consumer Reports study emphasizes the importance of taking steps to protect your privacy. However, by taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of information you share with Facebook and control how it’s used.
Remember: you do have at least a little control of your data. In the same way that Amazon tracks what you do, so does Facebook, Google and others