The personal information Facebook collects that you might not know about
Facebook's collection of data has come under increased scrutiny after
information on millions of users was leaked by a third party.
The hashtag #DeleteFacebook has trended online and many users have chosen to
download copies of their Facebook data to better understand what information
the social network has collected about them.
These files, which Facebook enables users to download freely, confirm the
company has a wide range of information available on people, beyond the
obvious content that is visible on someone's profile.
Some phone call and SMS message history
In going through their own files, several users have reported alarm at
Facebook's data-gathering because their files were found to contain phone
call and SMS message history logs.
The data included time and date information of calls and messages sent to
friends and family.
However, the social network has already responded to reports on the issue,
asserting that this collection is not done without first gaining user
permission.
Facebook said the measure is an opt-in feature for the Messenger for Android
app and the streamlined version of the site - Facebook Lite - and was
designed to help better connect users.
"You may have seen some recent reports that Facebook has been logging
people's call and SMS (text) history without their permission. This is not
the case," the company said.
"People have to expressly agree to use this feature. If, at any time, they
no longer wish to use this feature they can turn it off in settings."
"We never sell this data, and this feature does not collect the content of
your text messages or calls."
Wider contact information
As well as the list of friends a user has on their Facebook account, the
names and contact information - such as phone numbers and email addresses -
of anyone saved to a device on which you use Facebook also appear as part of
the data.
Again though this is an optional feature, Facebook asks users first if it
can access their contacts list as a way of finding and suggesting
connections on the social network.
The process is also common across many social media and other apps, usually
occurring shortly after first joining a service.
But it does mean some people without a Facebook account could see their
phone number become part of the platform's data archive, should any of their
friends or family be on the site.
Deleted and declined friend requests
Facebook's data on users includes not just their current friends list and
the date that online friendship began, but also a list of friend requests a
user has declined and those friends they have removed from their profile.
The data also features lists of friend requests sent by the user that were
declined by others, offering a detailed picture on interactions with others
on the site
Facebook to begin roll out of privacy changes
Facebook has said it will begin rolling out changes to how it handles
private data this week to comply with forthcoming EU rules, with European
residents seeing the measures first.
The social network, which has been rocked by disclosures about hijacking of
personal data on tens of millions of its users, said it will start
implementing "new privacy experiences" to comply with the EU's General Data
Protection Regulation which become effective on 25th May.
"Everyone - no matter where they live - will be asked to review important
information about how Facebook uses data and make choices about their
privacy on Facebook," said a statement from chief privacy officer Erin Egan
and deputy general counsel Ashlie Beringer.
"We'll begin by rolling these choices out in Europe this week."
Under the new policy, Facebook users will be asked to review and make
choices about ads they receive, including whether they want Facebook to use
data from third parties.
Facebook users will also be asked to review and choose what to share about
the political, religious, and relationship information on their profiles.
Additionally, users will be allowed to opt in or out of use of facial
recognition technology.
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