This article explains how to limit the personal information that can be collected by Facebook. There is no method that allows you to permanently disable data collection by Facebook, but general measures can be taken to prevent the site from accessing this information. You can also use a Firefox extension called Facebook Container with the aim of blocking the social network's access to your browsing data on Mozilla.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Take General Measures
Step 1. Cancel the permissions you have granted to Facebook through other applications
If you have ever logged into Spotify or Pinterest (or any other app or service) using your Facebook account, the application in question allows the social network to access your data. You can cancel this permission on the desktop version of Facebook:
- Open Facebook and log in if necessary;
-
Click on the "Menu" icon
Android7dropdown ;
- Click on "Settings";
- Click on "Apps and websites";
- Check all the boxes that appear next to the various applications;
- Click on "Remove" at the top right;
- When prompted, click "Remove".
Step 2. Delete the Facebook application from your mobile
The Facebook mobile application can detect information such as location and browsing habits on the mobile phone. Consequently, it is better to delete it to limit the detection by Facebook as much as possible. Read this article to delete the application from an iPhone and this article to remove it from Android.
Facebook has been accused of using cell phone microphones to determine which ads and services are most relevant to users. However, these complaints are mostly unfounded
Step 3. Log out of Facebook on the desktop
Click on the "Menu" icon
at the top right, then click "Exit". You can always log in again at a later time. In any case, it is good to get used to quitting Facebook at the end of each use.
If your browser prompts you to save your login information, it declines. This will prevent Facebook from automatically logging in not only on the browser open on the computer, but also on the mobile versions of the same
Step 4. Try browsing Facebook using incognito mode
When you visit the site in incognito mode, your browsing history is not saved when the browser is closed, and Facebook remains closed in normal windows.
This is a good shortcut for those who want to continue using Facebook without having to worry about tracking information
Step 5. Delete the cookies from the browser
One of the methods used by Facebook to monitor a user's history is to infiltrate tracking files on their computer (which also happens with other sites). It is possible to remove these files by deleting the cookies from every single browser used on a computer, smartphone and / or tablet.
Deleting cookies has only one consequence, that is, most sites will be logged out and saved information (such as passwords, preferences and so on) will be removed from the data stored on the browser
Step 6. Opt out of personalized ads
The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) offers an online tool that allows companies to request not to use their data to propose ad hoc advertising. The procedure must be carried out in every single browser used to access Facebook:
- Access this page in your favorite browser;
- Wait for the bottom left wheel to finish loading;
- Click on "Continue";
- Click on "Opt out of all";
- Allow the site to complete the procedure.
Step 7. Don't use the "Register" function on Facebook
Registering in a physical location gives you a lot of information that you may not want to share with the social network, such as location data.
Step 8. Avoid using the "Like" and "Share" buttons
On the web, you can very often see the option to "Like" or share Facebook content. Unfortunately, these operations only give even more information to the social network.
This also applies to comments left on sites that support this feature
Step 9. Never use your Facebook account to log into a service
Services like Spotify or Tinder give you the ability to log in using the data associated with Facebook. Although it is an effective method to register in a simple way, it also implies that the social network monitors the use of the service in question, including the time interval in which it is used, the articles or options selected within it and much more. still.
Method 2 of 2: Using Facebook Container for Firefox
Step 1. Find out how Facebook Container works
Facebook Container is an extension developed by Mozilla for Firefox. By "isolating" Facebook's use to a single tab, this prevents the site from tracking your browsing habits on any other tabs open in Firefox.
- Obviously, the site will still be able to track the actions you perform on Facebook.
- If you are concerned that Facebook may track you on other browsers, you may be able to log out and browse the site on Firefox only.
Step 2. Open Firefox
The icon depicts an orange fox wrapped around a blue sphere.
Facebook Container is only available for Firefox and cannot be installed on mobile devices
Step 3. Go to the Facebook Container extension page to install it
Step 4. Click ＋ Add to Firefox
This blue button is located towards the center of the page.
Step 5. Click Add when prompted
This option will appear at the top of the window.
Step 6. Click Ok when prompted
This way you will have installed Facebook Container.
Step 7. Open Facebook
Go to on Firefox. The site will automatically open a tab with a blue underline to indicate that Facebook Container has been activated.
Step 8. Log into Facebook
Enter your e-mail address (or telephone number) in the "E-mail or telephone" box at the top right, enter the password in the relevant field and click on "Login".
Step 9. Use Facebook as usual
Facebook Container will prevent the site from seeing your browsing habits, allowing you to keep tracking data in this tab only.
- If you log out of Facebook in the Container tab, the extension will be closed, preventing the site from detecting your browsing data.
- Avoid using features like "Like" or Facebook share buttons on external sites.
Advice
- Avoid clicking on ads when using Facebook. Each open ad allows Facebook to understand how to tailor advertisements to your preferences.
- Stopping using Facebook, logging out and deleting cookies from your browser is the simplest way ever to prevent the site from monitoring you.
