Facebook’s application has unveiled a new feature known as “Link History.” This addition allows tracking of the websites visited by users, sparking concerns about privacy amid the expansion of data collection.
According to details from Gizmodo, this setting comes activated by default but can be disabled at the user’s discretion. The gathered data is utilized to tailor personalized advertisements for Meta’s social network users.
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Clicking links in Facebook or Instagram loads sites in their browser, not your device’s. Through this mechanism, Meta can extract data regarding each individual’s usage patterns.
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Recently, Facebook faced accusations of implanting JavaScript code on visited websites, enabling Meta to closely monitor user interactions, encompassing typed words, tapped content, and even entered passwords.
While Facebook has historically tracked user-clicked links, it is now presenting a more direct control option for this practice. This move follows numerous controversies surrounding the company’s handling of user data.
In summary, with this new option, Meta is seeking permission for a tracking practice that has persisted for over a decade. Nevertheless, this configuration aims to provide users with a sense of privacy regarding their data.
Cancellation Process
- Here are the steps to cancel site tracking on Facebook:
- Tap any link within the Facebook app to open the platform’s browser.
- Tap on “More Actions” at the lower-right corner and proceed to “Browser Settings.”
- To enable link history, tap on the “Allow Link History” option and confirm by tapping “Allow.”
- Conversely, to disable link history, simply tap beside the “Allow Link History” option and select “Disallow” to confirm.
The company stressed the gradual rollout of this ‘feature. If not, the same location will offer the option to clear your existing browsing history on Facebook.
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