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Facebook_Privacy_Report_IEEE[1]

This document examines Facebook's data collection practices, highlighting significant privacy concerns and the risks associated with oversharing personal information. It discusses the Cambridge Analytica scandal as a case study of data misuse and outlines the need for improved digital literacy and privacy awareness among users. The paper also provides a step-by-step guide for adjusting privacy settings on Facebook and compares its data handling practices with those of Instagram.

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11 views3 pages

Facebook_Privacy_Report_IEEE[1]

This document examines Facebook's data collection practices, highlighting significant privacy concerns and the risks associated with oversharing personal information. It discusses the Cambridge Analytica scandal as a case study of data misuse and outlines the need for improved digital literacy and privacy awareness among users. The paper also provides a step-by-step guide for adjusting privacy settings on Facebook and compares its data handling practices with those of Instagram.

Uploaded by

nandaullasadarshtu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Privacy & Data Security: A Closer Look at Facebook’s Practices

1. Introduction
In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become central to personal expression and connectivity.
Among these, Facebook stands out due to its massive user base and deeply integrated presence in users’
lives. However, this ubiquity comes with significant concerns regarding data privacy, user surveillance, and
exploitation of personal information. This paper draws primarily from ShareLab’s investigative research
and academic sources to explore Facebook’s data collection practices, the risks of oversharing personal
information, and gaps in digital literacy. It includes a step-by-step privacy settings guide, an overview of the
Cambridge Analytica case, and a comparative analysis with Instagram.

2. Facebook's Data Collection Practices


According to ShareLab, Facebook employs a sophisticated web of trackers, third-party scripts, and real-
time behavioral analytics tools to collect vast amounts of user data. These include:

- Location (even when not actively using the app)


- Browsing habits (via Facebook Pixel on external sites)
- Messaging metadata (time, frequency, contact patterns)
- Device info (OS, hardware, IP, battery status)

> A 2020 ShareLab graph visualizes over 40 trackers embedded in Facebook-owned services, enabling a
360-degree view of user activity.

Data is primarily collected to:


- Personalize and target advertisements
- Drive engagement and keep users on the platform longer
- Profile users for algorithmic recommendations

According to a study by Pierson and Sanchez (2020), over 70% of users are unaware of the extent to which
Facebook profiles their online behavior.

3. Risks of Oversharing Personal Information


Oversharing—whether through photos, check-ins, or personal updates—makes users vulnerable to several
privacy threats:

- Geo-tagging and location sharing: Real-time location data can be exploited for stalking or home burglary.
- Photo recognition and tagging: AI-driven facial recognition on Facebook can build biometric profiles.
- Third-party app access: Games and quizzes often harvest personal data through Facebook login
permissions.

A case study in 2019 revealed that over 150 companies, including Spotify and Netflix, had access to private
messages via API integrations—often without user consent.
4. Evaluating Privacy Settings & Digital Literacy Gaps
Many users lack awareness or understanding of privacy tools on Facebook. A 2021 Pew Research report
found:

- 61% of Facebook users adjusted privacy settings only after a security incident.
- 44% of users aged 18–24 were unaware their public posts could be indexed by search engines.

5. Facebook Privacy Settings: A Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy
Step 2: Set "Who can see your future posts?" to Friends
Step 3: Disable location history under Location > Location Settings
Step 4: Limit past posts to restrict public visibility
Step 5: Review apps and websites that have access to your Facebook account

> Pro Tip: Use Facebook's Privacy Checkup tool for a quick overview.

6. The Cambridge Analytica Scandal: A Case Study


In 2018, it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica harvested data from 87 million Facebook profiles using a
personality quiz app. The data was used to develop psychological profiles for targeted political
advertising—most notably in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Key Impacts:
- Facebook was fined $5 billion by the FTC.
- Mark Zuckerberg testified before the U.S. Congress.
- Triggered global demand for transparency and regulation of data practices.

This case highlighted the massive scale at which Facebook data could be misused, and the lack of
safeguards in place.

7. Comparison: Facebook vs. Instagram


While both are Meta-owned platforms, Instagram has:

- Fewer external data integrations (but growing use of shopping data)


- Heavier emphasis on visual data (images, reels, stories)
- Default public profile settings for new users (riskier for younger audiences)

Data Handling Differences:


| Feature | Facebook | Instagram |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Ad Personalization | Extensive | Moderate |
| Privacy Defaults | More customizable | Often public by default |
| Third-party Logins | Widely used | Less integrated |
8. Conclusion
Facebook’s deep data ecosystem offers significant conveniences—but at the cost of user privacy. While
tools exist to safeguard personal information, digital literacy remains a major barrier. Case studies like
Cambridge Analytica underscore the need for stricter data governance and user awareness. As surveillance
capitalism grows, so must public demand for transparency and ethical data use.

References
ShareLab. (2020). Facebook’s Data Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://labs.rs/en/facebook-tracking-
infrastructure/

Pierson, R., & Sanchez, E. (2020). Digital Consent and Social Media Tracking. Journal of Information Policy.

Pew Research Center. (2021). Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control.
https://www.pewresearch.org/

Cadwalladr, C., & Graham-Harrison, E. (2018). Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for
Cambridge Analytica. The Guardian.

FTC. (2019). FTC Imposes $5 Billion Penalty and Sweeping New Privacy Restrictions on Facebook.
https://www.ftc.gov/

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