Digital surveillance: here’s how to limit the tracking of your data by Facebook (and others)

The collection of personal data and their use by web giants like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and their multiple partners constitute a major problem for the security and privacy of Internet users. There are different solutions to limit or even prevent companies from exploiting your digital footprint and online habits.

Thanks to colossal technological and financial resources, web giants like Meta carry out massive and constant data collection on the web. From online communications, to interactions on social networks, including browsing histories, location information and other digital traces, all Internet users’ activities and data are monitored, analyzed, and collected to be resold at a price. ‘gold to advertisers or marketing companies. A phenomenon that is of increasing concern to users concerned about preserving their privacy.

In this context, it is essential to remain vigilant and use all means at your disposal to protect your privacy and digital security. This is particularly true on social networks like Facebook which can accumulate an impressive amount of personal content about their users. Discover our advice to limit the collection of your data as much as possible.

How does Facebook tracking work?

To collect and analyze user data, Facebook uses different methods and technologies. Like other web giants (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, etc.), the social network tracks the slightest actions of its users on its own website, but also on third-party sites and applications that use its service, particularly via its famous “Like” button. Facebook collects data provided directly by users to create their profile, but also publications, likes and any exchanges they may have with other members.

To do this, the company uses cookies and pixels (an alternative tracking method) to track the activities and actions of its users. IP address and location data via GPS or Wi-Fi connection are among the many data collected by Facebook. However, there are solutions to significantly reduce your digital footprint and strengthen the protection of your personal data.

How does Facebook use your data?

With more than 3 billion users, Facebook has become the largest social network in the world. The service uses the data collected mainly to improve the user experience, but also and above all to monetize targeted advertising. Thanks to interactions (likes, comments, shares, etc.), Facebook personalizes users’ news feed by displaying content likely to interest them. This also allows it to suggest friends, groups or pages. All personal information, interests and other interactions the company collects about its users are used to build highly accurate profiles for advertisers.

This system through which Facebook generates enormous profits obviously raises important questions about privacy, consent, and the management of personal data. Although Facebook offers options to manage your privacy and to some extent control what data is collected, it is impossible to ensure that the company follows through on its commitments. The social network constantly changes the menu and rules of its privacy settings. You should therefore make sure to regularly check and update your settings on Facebook, Instagram, etc.

What are the solutions to limit the collection of your data?

There are different solutions to limit or completely stop the collection of your personal data by Facebook. To begin, it is possible to adjust the privacy settings of your account by limiting the number of people who can access your posts and providing as little personal information about your profile and activities as possible. To avoid social engineering attacks, it is recommended not to share any personally identifiable information (address, telephone number, date of birth, profession, contacts, etc.) via your publications.

To limit targeted advertisements, it is possible to deactivate ad tracking settings. Note that it is also important to check third-party applications to which you have sometimes without even knowing it granted access to your Facebook account. Immediately delete those you no longer use.

What are the methods to limit online tracking?

Different tools and measures make it possible to limit tracking on the Internet by services like Facebook. Starting with private browsers like AVG Secure Browser which are specifically designed to improve online privacy and limit the tracking of your personal data. Browsers also have built-in tools or web extensions to limit or block tracking cookies. They also offer a private browsing mode, which prevents the recording of browsing history and cookies.

VPNs like AVG Secure that hide your real IP address and encrypt your internet traffic also make it more difficult for sites and advertisers to try to track your online activity. Without forgetting anti-tracking tools like AVG AntiTrack which offer the possibility of deleting cookies, preventing the recording of your digital footprint, and even viewing the data that websites try to collect.

How to deactivate or pause your accounts on social networks like Facebook?

The most radical solution is of course to deactivate or find how to delete a Facebook account. However, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons before making your choice. The deletion of an account is permanent and irreversible. Your messages, photos, and videos will no longer be accessible. Note that you will no longer be able to use Messenger either. The other option is to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account.

In this case, your activities are suspended, but you can recover your account and access your various content at any time. Go to the privacy settings of your Facebook account from an Internet browser or the social network’s mobile application (Android and iOS) to delete or suspend your account.

AVG Free AntiVirus and AVG AntiTrack: a range of tools to protect your security and personal data

The Czech cybersecurity specialist, which is part of the Gen group (Norton, Avast, Avira, etc.) is one of the leaders in the free antivirus market with AVG Free Antivirus. Lightweight and efficient, this completely free protection includes powerful detection tools against viruses, spyware, malware, including the dreaded ransomware. That’s not all, it has a system optimization feature, and an anti-phishing module to block malicious links, attachments, and downloads. Essential features to protect you from multiple digital threats.

The publisher also offers a powerful tool called AVG AntiTrack to preserve your privacy on the Internet. The latter is a fantastic anti-tracking software that blurs your digital footprint, erases your browsing traces, and deletes cookies. AVG AntiTrack helps prevent companies like Meta (Facebook) from tracking your online activities, behavior and browsing history to sell to advertisers.