Why it's useless to delete your Facebook account and keep your Google account.
The Guardian tested it: who collects more data, Facebook or Google? In the article “Are you ready? “This is all the data Facebook and Google have on you”[ 1 ] by Dylan Curran, the author compares the data collected by Facebook and Google about him.
This should be particularly interesting for Google account holders, because Curran makes this self-test understandable for everyone and we don't want to withhold the links from the article from you, which you can use to view your data. Note: these links only work if you are logged into your Google account.
This is what Google knows about you!
Ok, let's go. In the order in which Curran presents the links.
Location
Let's start with the location analysis . Where have you been? Your Google account reveals it:
https://www.google.com/maps/timeline?pb
Google saves your location once your GPS is activated. You can play a little with the timeline and see when you were where.
Search history
Google also stores your online activity . What you searched for, deleted and opened. You can view the search history from all registered devices.
https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity
Ad Settings
Google also creates an ad profile based on all the information it collects. Location, gender, age, hobbies, career, interests, relationship status, possible weight and income all play into the analysis.
https://www.google.com/settings/ads/
Your apps
Of course, Google also knows when you use which app and how often you use it. Do you know that yourself? If not, that's not a problem, Google will help you:
https://myaccount.google.com/permissions?pli=1
YouTube
Since YouTube belongs to Google, Google of course also knows which videos you have watched on YouTube. From this you can of course analyze how you are currently, what your preferences are, and even draw conclusions about certain character traits.
https://www.youtube.com/feed/history/search_history
Your personal archive
Of course, you also have the option to download the uninterpreted data that Google has collected about you. Google offers the ability to download all the data stored about you. Curran writes in his article that his Personal File is 5.5 GB in size, which he says is equivalent to approximately 3 million Word documents.
This file really has everything in it, from appointments to emails and what you have done using Google services. Here the link:
https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout
Cross check: Facebook
Of course, Facebook also knows a lot about you, but its self-test showed that the requested file with personal data on Facebook was just over 10% of the size of Google's data. Of course you, indeed every Facebook user, can request data from Facebook:
You can download your information in your “ Settings ”. Here's how to download your information:
- Click in the top right corner of any Facebook page
and select Settings
- Click “ Download a copy of your Facebook data ”
- Click on “ Build my archive ”
Because this download contains your profile information, you should keep it safe and use caution when saving, sending, or uploading it to other devices.
Facebook bashing?!
This self-test shows quite clearly that in the discussion about data protection and data analysis you shouldn't just look at Facebook. We all simply have to be aware that social media and free online services are not welfare institutions, but that they naturally require something in return.
These services consist of using the network or service and allowing this data to be stored and evaluated. Depending on the terms and conditions and service, this data can then also be passed on to third parties.
So let’s not demonize, let’s learn from it.
So if you want to leave Facebook for fear of data collection, you should also stay away from all other services that collect data.
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
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 )


and select Settings