Take Back Your Data: How to Limit Facebook’s Access to Your Information
After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook’s data collection practices came under intense scrutiny, exposing how the platform uses your personal information for profit. While advertising is a known source of revenue for Facebook, the company also grants access to a vast repository of your data to advertisers and third-party apps. This means potentially sensitive details about your life – from your political affiliations to your buying habits – are being shared without your full knowledge. This article will guide you through practical steps to limit Facebook’s access to your data, regaining control over your privacy.
Understanding Facebook’s Data Collection Practices
Facebook collects an astonishing amount of data about its users, far beyond basic information like your name and location. The company tracks your activity on Facebook, your interactions with apps and websites, your online purchases, and even your offline behavior through data partnerships with businesses. This information is then used to create a detailed profile of your interests, preferences, and habits, which are fed to advertisers and third-party applications.
The Consequences of Facebook’s Data Collection
The ramifications of unchecked data collection are vast and potentially dangerous. Here are some key concerns:
- Targeted Advertising: Your online browsing becomes a window into your desires, allowing advertisers to target you with highly personalized, and sometimes intrusive, advertisements.
- Influence and Manipulation: Political campaigns and organizations can leverage data to micro-target individuals, disseminating tailored messages to sway their political opinions.
- Privacy Violations: The constant tracking of your online activity can lead to unwanted exposure of personal information, compromising your privacy and security.
- Data Breaches: The risk of data breaches is ever-present. Sensitive data stored with Facebook could be compromised, impacting your financial well-being and personal safety.
Taking Control: How to Limit Facebook’s Access to Your Data
While deleting your Facebook account is the most effective way to prevent data collection, it’s not always a feasible solution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to limiting Facebook’s data access without completely abandoning the platform:
1. Disabling the Platform:
Desktop and Mobile Browser:
- Navigate to Facebook’s app settings page.
- Click Edit under "Apps, Websites and Plugins".
- Select Disable Platform.
Android App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy.
- Tap Account settings, then Apps, followed by Platform.
- Click Edit and choose Turn off Platform.
- iOS App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Scroll down and tap Settings, then Account Settings.
- Locate Apps and select Platform.
- Click Edit and choose Turn off Platform.
This step effectively prevents third-party apps from accessing your Facebook data. However, it will also disable any apps that rely on Facebook login and require you to reset your passwords on these apps and websites.
2. Limiting Information for Third-Party Apps:
Desktop and Mobile Browser:
- Visit Facebook’s app settings page.
- Scroll down to Apps Others Use.
- Click Edit.
- Uncheck all permissions including birthday, family relationships, app activity, and online status.
- Click Save.
Android App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Select Settings & Privacy and then Account settings.
- Go to Apps and choose Apps others use.
- Uncheck all permissions.
- iOS App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Navigate to Settings, followed by Account Settings, then Apps.
- Select Apps others use and uncheck all permissions.
By disabling these permissions, you prevent your friends from unwittingly sharing your personal data with third-party apps through their own activities.
3. Controlling Ad Settings:
Desktop and Mobile Browser:
- Access Facebook’s ad settings page.
- Select Ad settings, then Ads based on my use of websites and apps.
- Toggle Off.
- Select Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies and choose No.
- Tap Adverts with my social actions and select No one.
Android App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Select Settings & Privacy followed by Account settings, then Ads.
- Choose Ad settings.
- Select Ads based on my use of websites and apps and toggle Off.
- Select Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies and choose No.
- Tap Adverts with my social actions and select No one.
- iOS App:
- Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines icon.
- Navigate to Settings, followed by Account Settings, then Ads.
- Choose Ad settings.
- Select Ads based on my use of websites and apps and toggle Off.
- Select Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies and choose No.
- Tap Adverts with my social actions and select No one.
By limiting ad settings, you significantly reduce the amount of data advertisers collect about you. This will result in less personalized advertisements but offers increased privacy control.
Additional Tips for Data Privacy
- Review Privacy Permissions for Apps: Regular review of the permissions granted to apps on your phone and computer ensures you are comfortable with the data they access.
- Use Strong Passwords: Employ strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts, particularly Facebook, to minimize your vulnerability to data breaches.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This added security measure strengthens your accounts and prevents unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic, masking your IP address and preventing websites from tracking your online activities.
- Be Wary of Quizzes and Games: Many personality quizzes and games on Facebook collect significant data without clear disclosure.
Conclusion
Facebook’s data collection practices are a major concern, impacting your privacy and potentially influencing your life in unforeseen ways. While deleting your account is the most drastic solution, implementing the steps outlined above provides a greater degree of control over your data, offering a more secure and privacy-conscious experience within the platform.
