You won’t catch me on Facebook, but those which do use the big blue lowercase f have even more privacy concerns that they should be aware of. I know that being privacy aware isn’t a big concern for many people out there who share sexts on a daily basis and post their every thought somewhere online. For those who are more privacy aware, read on to find out more about Facebook privacy as it is today.
Facebook privacy policy change goes into effect
The latest Facebook privacy policy change looks to track your every move – even when you log out of their app. It came into effect on January 30, and there was no opt-in clause. This means that you were automatically forced to accept it. You have to manually opt-out if you don’t want 
to be a part of it.
This data policy relates specifically to:
- Which websites you visit online
- What links you’re clicking on
- Session length data
And is used, as they say endlessly in the face of ever-decreasing privacy, for your own good. They’re doing it to show you more relevant ads. And a big ‘Thank you!’ for that…
It comes into effect the first time you log into the Facebook mobile app. Opting out, you’d think, would be a simple process. It isn’t. Here are your options for opting out of the new Facebook privacy settings:
- Delete Facebook, never use it again.
- Contact the Digital Advertising Alliance in the US, the UK, or your local equivalent.
At the end of doing point 2, all they will do is stop displaying relevant ads to you. They’ll still collect the data though. Funny world, eh? I’m doing my part to tell everyone I know to delete the app off their phone. Good luck, eh?
Another point is if you choose to keep the app, and connect to public WiFi, please for the love of Superman, use a mobile VPN. One hack on public WiFi and your Facebook password, and everything in your account, becomes the property of a hacker. Your best option is to delete the app …but still. Use some protection if you keep it.
Who is interested in the new Facebook privacy update?
Users who are more privacy aware are not the only people who are interested in the new Facebook privacy update. According to TheStar.com, the EU’s privacy watchdog has taken interest in how Facebook has not allowed users to opt into the new Facebook privacy settings. They’re being forced to accept them without knowing it!
It’s not just watchdog groups either. Government is looking to step in in the EU as well. To quote a member of the German Green Party, Jan Philipp Albrecht, on the subject of Facebook’s current goals, he said that they are looking to:
“Process the personal data of its users to develop constantly new business models —without their consent.”
And this is not just a Green Party concern. Hamburg’s Privacy Regulator, Johannes Caspar, is looking at whether or not these new rules actually violate German law when looked at as a whole with their other apps. Stating in the German parliament at the end of January that:
“I think it’s problematic that Facebook wants to exchange user data between all of its various units, including WhatsApp and Instagram. I will coordinate with my various European colleagues to see what action may be needed.”
This may be the Facebook privacy policy change that gets everyone really looking at what they’re doing to their users. We’re all hyper aware of privacy issues here at Best
Our information is being harvested. Many of us understand that. What we don’t understand is why it’s being forced upon us, why we don’t have a choice beyond not using a tool we’ve had for years. Last, why do they keep making statements like ‘we’re trying to make Facebook better for you,’ when what they mean is ‘we’re just trying to make Facebook more profitable for us while stealing your information without your consent.’
Feature image via Rawpixel / Shutterstock