Saved, tracked, observed. The Internet is no longer just a place for friends, pictures and fun, but also a gigantic marketplace for data and information. The Meta Group, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is always the focus of critics. And for a good reason! A new change to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, introduced on July 5, 2023, is again raising serious concerns.
An overview of the privacy policy of Facebook and Instagram
Since July 26, 2022, Facebook and Instagram have the same terms of use. Since then, the meta data protection guidelines have also applied to both platforms. But what exactly does that mean for you as a user?
Meta-surveillance: The digital shadow that follows you everywhere
Have you just been shopping in an online shop and suddenly see advertising for exactly that shop on your next visit to Facebook? This is not a coincidence, but personalized advertising. This is made possible by cookies and plugins that Meta can use to track you across the internet. And the tracking even goes beyond the online world. Meta also receives information about activities you have done offline.
But don't panic! You can prevent this by, for example, using different email addresses. If you don't want ads to appear on Facebook or Instagram based on your purchasing behavior, this is a useful strategy.
Looking for clues: Facebook and Instagram know where you are
Meta may use your location to select advertising. So, for example, if you are near a particular store, you could be shown advertisements for that store. However, if you don't want strangers to know your location, you can turn off the location service in your smartphone's settings or block Facebook and Instagram from accessing your location.
Spies on the Internet: Meta knows exactly which devices you use and what you do with them
Not only where you are, but also what you do with your device, Meta can track. This includes everything from the speed of your computer, the movements of your mouse, your phone's operating system, and the apps you use.
What can you do about it?
In addition to the strategies already mentioned, there are other ways to protect your data from being collected by Meta:
- Use a separate browser for Facebook and Instagram: You can separate your Internet activities by using a browser just for Facebook and Instagram and opening all other Internet pages with a different browser.
- Set your browser to delete cookies: If you set your browser to delete all cookies when you close it, you can prevent Meta from tracking you around the Internet. You can also use your browser's private mode or prohibit the storage of third-party cookies.
- Pay attention to your settings on your Facebook profile: It is important to familiarize yourself with the settings on your Facebook profile, especially regarding advertising and privacy.
- Don't use Facebook and Instagram on the go: The less you use these apps on the go, the less data they have on you.
Meta may collect a lot of data about us, but we as users also have ways to defend ourselves against it. So familiarize yourself with the privacy policy and settings of your accounts and use the tools available to you to protect your data and privacy!
Help us make our online community safer! Download the attached sharepic and share it on your Facebook feed or stories. The more people we can reach with this, the safer our digital world will become. Always remember: think first, then click!

Also read: Facebook says “Enough”: The end of the data crisis?
Source:
Data Protection.org
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

