{"id":1765,"date":"2025-02-14T23:55:09","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T06:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/?p=1765"},"modified":"2025-02-14T23:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-15T06:55:13","slug":"protect-your-privacy-stop-meta-from-tracking-and-monetizing-your-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/2025\/02\/14\/protect-your-privacy-stop-meta-from-tracking-and-monetizing-your-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Privacy: Stop Meta from Tracking and Monetizing Your Data"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Meta?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meta is a technology and communications company with a market capitalization exceeding $1,500 billion USD. It provides online communication services through various products such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Although most people consider Meta a social media platform provider, the reality is quite different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does Meta Make Money?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Meta is not just a social media company; rather, its revenue primarily depends on targeted advertising, which relies heavily on data collection. The company tracks users&#8217; digital footprints and delivers highly personalized ads based on collected data. For example, Meta lost billions in revenue when Apple introduced a privacy policy limiting tracking on iPhones, highlighting the extent to which its business model depends on users\u2019 private data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfMmf73sDFYpCKjrDb1BKoKQk4SIdu1a263LkoJ-lHf2Re88fyA-cSD943RSbrdmm84t89SmiyoFkEYX3ErXBdKty3jgkN7EUtNlowopSE6IH26fi4mmyLQjIqSOLBYn15wbhg?key=3LQrY2jQqxjIkUf555-XyLAr\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:960px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><em>\u00a0Photo by Shikhsha.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This surveillance process is not limited to Meta&#8217;s own platforms; it extends to tracking tools embedded in millions of websites and apps. As a result, even if you stop using Facebook or Instagram, you may still be monitored. &#8220;Meta Pixel,&#8221; one of Meta\u2019s key tracking tools, captures user behavior across digital platforms and is embedded in 30% of the world\u2019s most popular websites. Such tracking poses a direct threat to personal data, including financial and mental health information. A 2022 investigation by The Markup revealed that a third of the top U.S. hospitals had unintentionally transmitted confidential patient information to Meta through this tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meta\u2019s tracking extends beyond the digital world and into the offline environment. Businesses collect data on daily purchases and transactions, allowing Meta to continuously gather user data even when they are not actively engaging online. Consequently, deleting Facebook or Instagram does not fully protect individuals from Meta\u2019s surveillance. In 2018, the company admitted to tracking non-users, collecting their contact details and browsing history without direct engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steps to Reduce Meta\u2019s Data Collection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although Meta\u2019s tracking is extensive, there are several steps you can take to limit the amount of data the company collects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Update Meta Account Settings<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>From Accounts Center\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the <strong>Facebook<\/strong> or <strong>Instagram<\/strong> app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to <strong>Settings<\/strong> and look for <strong>Accounts Center<\/strong> (found in both apps).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have trouble finding it, visit<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/help\/\"> Meta\u2019s help pages<\/a> for Facebook and Instagram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>From Web Browser Instead of the App<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you prefer to adjust settings on a browser, go to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/accountscenter.facebook.com\">accountscenter.facebook.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/accountscenter.instagram.com\">accountscenter.instagram.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Linked Accounts:\u00a0 <\/strong>If Facebook and Instagram are linked in Accounts Center, you only need to update settings once. Otherwise, adjust them separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changing Settings:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Navigate to Accounts Center via Settings in Facebook or Instagram.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use<a href=\"https:\/\/accountscenter.facebook.com\"> accountscenter.facebook.com<\/a> or<a href=\"https:\/\/accountscenter.instagram.com\"> accountscenter.instagram.com<\/a> if using a web browser.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfmadXG5ne9YlOjgxz91O0PLWAvGmVKy-Cmyh9GG3rTRs_EEc5kv37RjbIwip_SlqraVBpTqsTT06076FXev4ZHiIXNe6KkYwVkVdKlaewl51CMN4UViUFCHI6yNRUVNhhy7h8X8A?key=3LQrY2jQqxjIkUf555-XyLAr\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><em>Photo By Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meta intentionally makes it difficult to find these settings by frequently updating their options, sometimes adding complex settings. Steps discussed here may vary from region to region, however, each of these settings should exist under some variation of the options described.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re on the <strong>Accounts Center<\/strong> page, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stop Meta from Targeting Ads Based on Your Activity on Other Apps and Websites<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click <strong>Ad Preferences<\/strong> under <strong>Accounts Center<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>Manage Info<\/strong> tab (or <strong>Ad Settings<\/strong>, depending on your region).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Activity Information from Ad Partners<\/strong>, then <strong>Review Setting<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose <strong>No, don\u2019t make my ads more relevant by using this information<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Click <strong>Confirm<\/strong> when prompted<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd2FmE6X1_Sm84byR2A-DHJ06y65Iav0EdwewcD2ppbca6s6wsqKzW9HAubcRRbvyeyT3zbxbLz-u_1OdxQQ8lldX1oLy3WfmIpzT7A76TTC9jtAD6GDyyYYSg_EWba45zHyw6jhg?key=3LQrY2jQqxjIkUf555-XyLAr\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><em>Photo By Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prevent Meta from Using Your Facebook &amp; Instagram Data for Ads Outside Its Platforms<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to the <strong>Ad Preferences<\/strong> page in <strong>Accounts Center<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Manage Info<\/strong> tab (or <strong>Ad Settings<\/strong>, depending on your location).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <strong>Ads shown outside of Meta<\/strong> (or <strong>Ads from ad partners<\/strong>, depending on your region).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose <strong>Not allowed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the <strong>\u201cX\u201d<\/strong> button to close the pop-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeDYRRpFrUrfgHifwSYzg-ojADTiG1vuDL0PcFyhlQMQxfsy2DJdjKusItNJTzV7grfU7hhGWgHmY-QEi-IvSVw8NjeJT1vTPLSS9D7OpddeuUWrERHp20pia-I-ihNGpAhUR8Zsg?key=3LQrY2jQqxjIkUf555-XyLAr\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><em>Photo By Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prevent Other Companies from Sharing Your Data with Meta<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In <strong>Accounts Center<\/strong>, click <strong>Your information and permissions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <strong>Your activity off Meta technologies<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Manage future activity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose <strong>Disconnect future activity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Continue<\/strong>, then confirm by selecting <strong>Disconnect future activity<\/strong> again.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This change may take up to <strong>48 hours<\/strong> to take effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It will also <strong>clear past activity<\/strong>, which might log you out of apps and websites you\u2019ve signed into using Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeHR_e3bpKKqWbhH1BIDitotSKJEQXmL8m37wasyeILNIvt6T0aOysMfgKRB0GF6W6wAoJnkc8mCX1hgkP-TAu-FZLyok7Lq-K8iwUcr5ll56VPkaPgw8yiMD9jntlLoIYmeGl-ag?key=3LQrY2jQqxjIkUf555-XyLAr\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><em>Photo By Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Install Privacy Badger to Block Meta\u2019s Trackers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Privacy Badger is free browser extension that block trackers like Meta\u2019s Pixel at the time of loading on visited websites. Furthermore, it helps to replaces embedded Facebook posts, Like buttons, and Share buttons with click-to-activate placeholders which stop Meta from collect activity through these elements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Install Privacy Badger<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit<a href=\"https:\/\/privacybadger.org\"> <strong>privacybadger.org<\/strong><\/a> to download and install the extension.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supported Browsers:<\/strong> Works on <strong>Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mobile Support:<\/strong> Currently, only <strong>Firefox on Android<\/strong> supports Privacy Badger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Preventing a company you don\u2019t trust from profiting off your personal data shouldn\u2019t require navigating hidden settings or installing browser extensions. Instead, privacy should be built-in by default. Strong, transparent federal privacy laws are necessary to ensure users have control over their personal data. Such legislation would prevent companies like Meta from bypassing privacy protections or monetizing user data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Facebook Inc Company Profile &#8211; Facebook Inc Overview<\/em>. GlobalData. (n.d.). https:\/\/www.globaldata.com\/company-profile\/facebook-inc\/\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cohen, L. (2025, January 18). <em>Mad at meta? don\u2019t let them collect and monetize your personal data<\/em>. Electronic Frontier Foundation. https:\/\/www.eff.org\/deeplinks\/2025\/01\/mad-meta-dont-let-them-collect-and-monetize-your-personal-data\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Meta Business Model \u2013 how Facebook makes money? &#8211; shiksha online<\/em>. Study in India. (n.d.). https:\/\/www.shiksha.com\/online-courses\/articles\/how-meta-facebook-makes-money\/\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Meta? Meta is a technology and communications company with a market capitalization exceeding $1,500 billion USD. It provides online communication services through various products such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Although most people consider Meta a social media platform provider, the reality is quite different. How Does Meta Make Money? Meta is not &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/2025\/02\/14\/protect-your-privacy-stop-meta-from-tracking-and-monetizing-your-data\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Protect Your Privacy: Stop Meta from Tracking and Monetizing Your Data&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Md. Saidul Arifin Shuvo","author_link":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/author\/md-saidul-arifin-shuvo\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/675"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1765"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1766,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1765\/revisions\/1766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpsites.ucalgary.ca\/jacobson-cpsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}