Protecting Your Digital Footprint: A Guide to Social Media Privacy Settings


The U.S. has the world’s third-largest social media population. Studies conducted by Statista revealed that as of March 2023, Facebook was the most-used platform, accounting for 53% of the total social media site visits in the U.S., followed by Twitter with 16.2% and Instagram with 13.85% visits. 


From education to business and entertainment, social media platforms offer continuous learning, growing, and rejuvenating possibilities. Platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and TikTok provide users with increased exposure to amplify publicly available content’s impact.  

But a constant threat associated with social media is the risk of losing data privacy. 

 

Is Instagram Spying on its Users? 


Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, responded to Gayle King, The Morning Show presenter, upon being asked whether Instagram listens to our private conversations to serve targeted ads. He said that “it could be dumb luck” or “Facebook advertisers may be connecting the dots.” He added, “We don’t look at your messages, we don’t listen on your microphone; doing so will be super problematic for many different reasons.”   


Maybe Instagram does not spy on our private conversations, but the platform serves targeted ads for its users. The same goes for Facebook.  

 

How do Instagram and Facebook target their users? 


Instagram and Facebook are owned by the same company, Meta. Instagram users often get ads for products or service pages they visited on Facebook. Random ads on these platforms follow people unless users take a keen interest in safeguarding their privacy rights. 

Information that Meta tracks about its Facebook and Instagram users: 

 

  • The platforms collect user data with the help of cookies, about which you can find information on the cookie policy pages. It tracks the IDs and settings of stored cookies on users’ devices.  


  • Facebook and Instagram access the hardware of user devices (camera and microphone on smartphones, tablets, and computers.) According to Meta’s privacy policy the platforms use the camera of users’ devices to provide services like facial filters. Accessing the microphone allows recording, publishing voice messages, and performing audio-video operations such as ‘going live’ or making video calls. Interestingly, Meta also analyses the content you upload to decide its relevance to an audience.  


  • Instagram and Facebook keep track of user activities such as users’ followers, pages one likes, and what others share about you. 


  • Meta tracks the content that users upload and consume and is based on users’ interests, suggesting similar content. It records the frequency and duration of user visit sessions and monitors the actions taken using the services (Instagram or Facebook.) 


  • Facebook and Instagram collect information about transactions that occur on the platforms. The platform will track the transaction if you buy something from a brand that served an Instagram ad to you. If you donate something to an organization through Facebook or Instagram, Meta knows it. 


Information Collected about user devices: 


  1. Meta keeps records of devices such as smartphones, tablets, or PCs for providing an engaging user experience and suggesting relevant services, products, or content.  
  2. It collects device information such as operating system version, hardware and software versions, battery level, and storage space. 
  3. The platforms monitor users’ devices and track mouse and keyboard usage and apps or websites running in the background.  
  4. Meta receives information on the user’s GPS location, camera, and photos at the user’s discretion.  


Instagram and Facebook users must visit Meta’s data policy for a detailed understanding of data collection and processing.   

 

Securing the data privacy rights of everyone who uses the internet is easier said than done. The responsibility of keeping personal data safe falls upon Governments, social media companies, and practically anyone who uses their services.  


Global data protection regulations such as the GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, VCDPA, and PIPEDA are significant players in safeguarding individuals against unauthorized data collection and processing activities by companies like Meta and others. 

 

Most businesses play their part in maintaining transparency in data collection and respecting user choices by implementing a consent management policy reflected in the ‘settings’ of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 


Social media users are also responsible for keeping their data safe and providing or withdrawing consent for services and data collection practices based on personal experience or interest.  

 

How can users keep themselves safe on Instagram? 


Instagram allows its users to manage cookies with the following steps: 


  • Open your Instagram profile and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. 
  • select ‘settings.’  
  • tap ‘security’ then ‘data and history 
  • View data Instagram has collected on you or choose to clear your search history. 
  • Manage personalized advertising by selecting the ‘cookies’ option  


It is important to note that blocking cookies may prevent a user from accessing certain Instagram features, such as the ability to stay logged in. Still, going through the cookie settings and evaluating the cookie consent options one has on Instagram helps block irritating ads and restore users’ data dignity. 


How to manage Facebook Settings for privacy assurance? 


After interacting with related content on the platform, Facebook collects user information to generate cross-platform targeted ads users see on Instagram. Knowing the options can help limit the amounts of random ads one receives on these platforms. 


Users can manage cookie settings on Facebook by following these steps: 

  1. On the Facebook Profile, click the downward arrow on the top right of the screen 
  2. Click on ‘Settings & Privacy’ then ‘Settings.’ 
  3. Click on ‘your Facebook Information,’ then tap ‘off-Facebook activity.’ 
  4. View and manage the information Facebook receives from its third-party partners (websites and apps that use its ad services) 
  5. Under the ‘privacy’ option, users can also block all cookies. 


Apart from the options Instagram and Facebook provide for managing user privacy and cookie-related services, one can reinforce device settings for an added layer of security. 

Here are some tips: 


  • Log off when not using social media platforms. Make sure that they do not run in the background. 
  • Enable Instagram and Facebook to use the device microphone and camera only while using the platforms. 
  • Allow Social media platforms to use device location at permission and only when logged in. 
  • Social media platforms have intelligent algorithms that track and analyze user behavior to offer relatable ads and content. Resist logging in to websites and downloading apps from Instagram or Facebook, as the entities may extract user information without prior notification. 


Data privacy should be at the top of our minds. Considering the usefulness of cookie consent and privacy management on social media platforms is essential for safeguarding online privacy.


Read Adzapier’s resources and learn more about the changing landscape of data privacy rights and regulations. 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: United States

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