Facebook Privacy Tip: How to Limit Your Data Being Shared With Third Parties

By now you’ve probably heard that UK-based company Cambridge Analytica reportedly harvested 50 million Facebook profiles and used that data to build software that targets and influences voters.

Cambridge Analytica was able to access the data of millions of users through an app that was used by just a few hundred thousand people. Because Facebook allows apps to access the data of not only those who grant access, but also data shared by their friends, Cambridge Analytica was able to harvest so much more information than they normally would’ve been able to.

The privacy settings you should consider changing (to prevent apps from sharing your data in the future) are all found on the App Settings page.

1. Kill Switch for Facebook App Permissions

This kill switch feature allows you automatically remove all apps that have access to your account in one easy step. It will also completely disable future logins on third-party sites using Facebook.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps, Websites and Plugins. 
2. Click the Edit button.
3. Click Disable platform.

Changing this setting means:

• You will not be able to log into websites, mobile games, or applications using Facebook. (If you try to, Facebook will prompt you to re-enable Platform.)
• Your friends won’t be able to interact and share with you using apps and websites.
• Instant personalization will be turned off.
• Apps you’ve logged into (with Facebook or Anonymously) will be removed.
• Posts by apps will be removed from your profile.

So for example, if you’ve posted to Facebook automatically using Instagram, those posts will disappear from your profile.

Facebook also points out that apps you’ve previously installed will still have information you have shared with them, and recommends contacting them directly for details on how to remove this data.

2. Revoke or Edit Individual Facebook App Access

If you prefer a selective approach, you can pick and choose which apps have access to your profile, as well as choosing what kind of information you share with them. (If you’ve already disabled Facebook Platform, you won’t see these settings.)

1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. In the list of apps, click the Edit Settings (pencil) button.
3. In the popup window that opens, you can uncheck specific items that are being shared. This may include your friend list, email address, and who can see items shared on your Facebook profile through this app.
   
   You will find that with some apps, there are certain items that can’t be unchecked including name, age, profile picture, and any other public information.
4. To completely remove the app, click the X button associated with each app.

3. Prevent Your Friends From Sharing Your Data

If you’ve disabled Facebook’s Platform setting, this feature will already be turned off. But if you choose to keep Platform enabled, at least disable this setting that was integral to Cambridge Analytica’s software.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps others use. 
2. Click the Edit button.
3. Uncheck all the items that friends could be unknowingly be sharing from your profile.

In addition to adjusting your Facebook privacy settings, you’ll probably also want to take precautions to prevent Facebook from selling your browsing data to advertisers.

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