Know Your Options for Protecting Your Data

Some concerning news has surfaced about Facebook allowing your private information to be used by third-party violators, like Cambridge Analytics, who gained access to more than 50 million Facebook users' data back in 2014. The good news is, there are precautions that you can take to protect your personal data.

Disable Location Services on Your Mobile Device

When you grant companies access to your location data, they can track where you are going and where you have been, including your most frequently visited places. Unlink Third-Party Apps You have probably signed up for an app using Facebook. If you feel the app is questionable, remove it. Whenever you download a new app, make sure to turn off third-party access.

Limit Sharing Settings

Use the down arrow in the top right corner to go to Settings > Privacy and limit who can see posts, send you friend requests, and more (*cough* friends only *cough*).

Remove Personal Info & Restrict Ad Preferences

Use the question mark in the top right corner to go to “Privacy Check Up,” where you can edit and delete information previously shared. Isn’t it weird how Facebook will pop up an ad for a pair of shoes you were just looking at? To stop this, go to your ad preferences so they can no longer advertise by your actions, relationships, or any of the categories that Facebook has selected for you.

Finally, You Can Delete Your Facebook. Oh, the horror!

Use the down arrow in the top right corner to go to Settings > General > Manage Account, then “Deactivate your account.”

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