Meta's latest tools make it very easy for companies to track users. The social media giant recently introduced a new feature called Link History in its Facebook app for iPhone and Android. Facebook's parent company claims that this setting is a tool for users to save all their browser history in one place. But is there more than meets the eye? Facebook's latest feature raises a number of privacy concerns and concerns about Meta's information collection.
Facebook app (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
What is meta link history?
Link history is a list of websites you've visited on your Facebook mobile browser in the past 30 days. Meta's link history setting collects the links you click within the Facebook app. This is limited to links visited within Facebook's browser and automatically pops up when you click a link within the Facebook app. You can then view all the links you clicked and visit them again to reopen them in Facebook's browser.
It's important to note that link history is turned off by default until you choose to turn it on. You can turn this setting on or off at any time. If you'd like Meta to use this information to make it easier for you to visit websites you visit on Facebook's mobile browser and to show you more relevant ads, you can turn on Meta's link history. It is recommended.
When link history is on, any links you tap within Facebook or visit on Facebook's mobile browser are saved in your link history for 30 days. Also, note that if link history is turned on, Meta may use link history information from Facebook's mobile browser to improve advertising across Meta technologies. In other words, Meta may show you ads based on the websites you visit on Facebook's mobile browser.
How to turn on link history
- open Facebook app on your phone
- click Three horizontal lines with the word “Menu” in them below the bottom right corner
- Scroll down and click Settings and privacy
- Then tap setting
Steps to turn on link history (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
- Scroll down and click browser
- Toggle next to “Allow link history” upon
- Then tap To give permission to confirm
Steps to turn on link history (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: How to remove unwanted photos that have invaded your Facebook page
How to access your link history in the Facebook app
Once link history is turned on, you can access it by:
- open Facebook app on your phone
- click Three horizontal lines with the word “Menu” in them below the bottom right corner
- Scroll down and click Settings and privacy
- Then select link history
- Scroll and link history
Steps to access your link history in the Facebook app (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: Is Facebook listening to you?
How to prevent Facebook from tracking your information
Facebook collects a lot of information about you. Not signed up for your account. Link history is another, more transparent means of data collection in Meta. If you want to protect your information from your link history, here's how to turn it off.
- open Facebook app on your phone
- click Three horizontal lines with the word “menu” in them below the bottom right corner
- Scroll down and click Settings and privacy
- Then tap setting
Steps to turn off link history (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
- select browser
- Then switch Off ““Allow link history”
Steps to turn off link history (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
It's important to note that link history is only available on Facebook's mobile app. It cannot be accessed from a computer. When you turn off link history, Meta immediately clears your link history and the links you visit will no longer be visible.
The company claims that if you turn off link history, it won't save your link history or use it to improve your ads across metatechnologies. The company also says that if you turn off link history, the removal process may take up to 90 days to complete.
Facebook app (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: Why it's hard to trust email notifications from Facebook
Cart important points
meta makeup billions of dollar Turn off data collection. This is a more transparent way of telling users that the company is actively tracking the links they use. Meta has been proactive in communicating more information about how its platform works, how it tracks users, and how it uses your information. However, questions remain as to whether the meta provides users with the full picture.
What do you think about Meta's link history feature? Do you think it's useful or invasive? Let us know by email. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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