If you grant Facebook and apps access to your contacts and phone number, then FB can track your calls and messages. These features of integrating your smartphone with social media was meant for convenience, but your data is also being provided. That includes the contact e-mail address, phone numbers, messages and user names.
To review all the data Facebook has about you, go to Facebook -> Settings -> General Account Settings
Then click the link: "Download a copy" of your Facebook data
You might be surprised that FB keeps track of everything, incriminating and embarrassing you have ever posted. There are also other things I realized that FB uses your data for.
How does FB get your contacts? When you install the FB app on your Android phone, you may not be aware but you integrate the app with your smartphone's contact list.
According to FB "the first time you sign in on your phone to a messaging or social app, it's a widely used practice to begin by uploading your phone contacts."
If you use messenger with SMS, then FB has access to your text messages on your smartphone. To disable this you have to open Messenger settings on your smartphone and select Off for SMS. If you confirmed your real phone number to Messenger, then the app can allow other people to call you without knowing your actual number. According to FB, if you confirm your number on Messenger people who are not even your FB friends can contact you. That includes telemarketers and scammers unfortunately.
Another thing I saw was how brands target us with ads. Facebook actually tells you who has been targeting you and which apps and brands have access to your information.
Interesting that this affected only Android smartphones, the iPhone does not seem to have this issue though Messenger also works on the iPhone. It seems Apple makes sharing your information with third party apps more restrictive. Just don't forget it is Apple that has that information on their iCloud.
And that's why I stay away from those damn ads that keep on popping up to download the FB app. It's faster and uses less data they say! When in fact all they want is more of your data!
People don't realize what they give away. I'm not going to be on FB mush longer!
Thanks for the post @vtce
They don't need our permission anymore if we agree to their terms of service. Sometimes it is so voluntary like apps that ask people survey questions and to play a personality quiz.
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