On Facebook you share a lot of personal information that is not limited to your name or date of birth. Images, contacts, place of residence, work, are all data that are exposed on the famous platform. That is why it is important to know how the social network follows you.
Based on your activities, Facebook knows almost everything about you. Sometimes you even know what product or service you can buy before you do. However, despite the reservations that can be made about it, the platform seems to continue to be used. But whether or not you want to delete your account, it’s worth knowing how Facebook tracks your activities.
Facebook / Meta on tablet and smartphone – Source: spm
It is undeniable that user information is a revenue generator for Facebook and any other social network. Through the programs we use, our location, preferences and other details, the platform is capable of offering us tailored advertisements. This means that, as potential consumers, we are more likely to be interested in the offers that are shown in our newsfeed. In addition, our passage through the Internet is always traceable, regardless of whether you use a social network or visit a website.
Multiple data – Source: spm
To stay on the Facebook model, the latter can, for example, display ads in your newsfeed related to ping-pong or virtual stores to buy rackets. And if you like to play table tennis, surely it is not a coincidence.
Facebook may track your activities through pieces of code called “pixels,” among other tracking methods. For example, you can collect information about the web pages you visit with a single pixel. But what can challenge the most in this case is that this process can be done even when you don’t have a Facebook account. If you’re wondering how this can be possible, remember all those distinctive blue platform buttons you find everywhere on the web. Interaction with the social network is thus created indirectly through likes, among other things.
However, the case of Facebook is not isolated since the collection of personal data is also carried out by other services. This information allows them to have a clearer idea about the user to create adapted advertising campaigns.
What other ways does Facebook track you while you browse?
The social network can follow your activities on the platform, as well as on the Internet through other specific methods. Indeed, beyond the data you provide in your profile, such as updating your professional/love situation or photos, the platform has more than one trick up its sleeve:
Facebook can track your activities through metadata
Unlike the explicit data you provide on Facebook, there is other data that you leave behind without realizing it. It could be a photo with data designating your location, your device telling Facebook which Internet browser you use most often, or even the type of camera you like.
Facebook tracks you through third-party data
We talk about third-party data when other companies share your information with Facebook. And for good reason, multiple companies you’ve asked to buy a product share your information on Facebook which, in turn, serves you advertising. Also note that the platform has a view of your financial history.
Buy online – Source: spm
Fortunately, there are a few ways to limit Facebook’s data collection if you want to. improve your privacy a little more. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this:
- If you can, forget about the Facebook app on your tablet or cell phone. You can simply check the social network in the browser.
- Disable the collection of your off-Facebook activities in your browser. In Chrome, for example, the most popular browser, tap Settings and then go to Privacy and security, Cookies and other site data. Go down and then activate “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request while browsing.”
- You may prefer an internet browser like Brave or Firefox, which are better in terms of privacy.
- Just share a little information on Facebook.
- Explore the privacy settings of your public Facebook profile and change the information you think is important
By keeping this information in mind, it is possible to have some control over your information and thus improve your privacy.
read also This small change can prevent Facebook and Instagram from spying on you
