Data collection has become an increasingly prevalent part of modern life, and social media giant Facebook is one of the most egregious privacy invaders. Facebook collects vast amounts of data from its 2.9 billion users. Personal information, activity logs, and even facial recognition are just a few of their data points. While some users may be unaware of the extent of data collection on Facebook, there are steps that can be taken to see exactly what data the platform has on you.
Types of information Facebook Collects
The types of data Facebook collects are wide-ranging and far-reaching. There’s basic personal information that includes name, age, and gender, as well as more specific information such as location, education, and employment history. In addition, Facebook collects information on users’ activity on the platform. They record the pages you like, the groups you join, and the posts you share. This data is used to inform Facebook’s algorithms. Which in turn, determines the content that users see in their News Feed.
Facebook also collects data on users’ devices, such as the type of device being used, the operating system, and the carrier. This data is used to help advertisers target you with their ads more effectively.
Review Your Data Collection Files
If you’re curious about what data Facebook has collected about you, follow these steps from your mobile device.
First, navigate to the “Settings” menu on Facebook. Click “Profile settings” and scroll down to “Download profile information.” Next, click “Request a download.” It will take a few days but Facebook will create downloadable files of all the information they have on you. If you spend any time at all on Facebook, it’s going to be a lot of data! Seeing the depth and detail of their data collection can be…offputting to put it mildly. But, knowledge is power and your data belongs to you.
Overall, data collection is a complex and pervasive issue in the digital age, and Facebook is just one example of a platform that collects vast amounts of data from its users. However, by taking advantage of the tools and resources available to you, you can gain a better understanding of what data Facebook has collected about you and take steps to manage that data as you see fit.