Facebook is Freaking Me Out

[Reluctant Daddy]

I have a Facebook account to keep in touch with some old friends, family and some people that do animal rescue.

 

For the past 6 months or so, I’ve noticed that Facebook has been tracking my shopping/window shopping habits and making suggestions for similar items at different vendors.

 

I’ve recently been aware that it has been suggesting some escorts in the “people you may know” section. I recognize some faces from Rentmen ads, but these are escorts that I’ve never contacted and don’t have in my contacts (either phone numbers or emails). One in particular is Leo Sweetwood. I’ve never contacted him, don’t follow him in Facebook and I’m pretty sure that he’s not following me, yet I’m getting Facebook notices that say he likes certain posts, he’s posted a response to a post, etc.

 

This morning, after reading the Palm Springs thread on here, I got a Facebook notice about a realtor selling a home in Palm Springs.

 

I’ve checked off most of the privacy boxes, yet this has is still happening. Just how far into ones life is Facebook delving?

[JayCeeKy]

A federal judge ruled last year that FB can use cookies to track your online activities even after you log out.

[jjkrkwood]

Hmmmm, interesting it considers hiring escorts as Shopping..... I get alerts all the time for things after I have shopped or researched them online, but hardly on Facebook... Seems to be a major marketing tool ?

[Reluctant Daddy]

A federal judge ruled last year that FB can use cookies to track your online activities even after you log out.

 

Relatively tech stupid, but are cookies tracked when browsing incognito? I browse RM and this site incognito so neither appears in search history.

[maninsoma]

It isn't just Facebook. Lots of websites track your activity and then use that information to get ad revenue. You can cut down how much you notice this by installing browser add ons like AdBlock+ and Ghostery, but I'm not sure it's possible to avoid being tracked when you are on line.

 

One thing I won't do -- despite Facebook trying to get me to comply for several years -- is give FB my phone number. They try to sell it as some security measure and I see it is another way for them to be intrusive.

[+ Pensant]

That’s why I’m not on Facebook.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Relatively tech stupid, but are cookies tracked when browsing incognito? I browse RM and this site incognito so neither appears in search history.

No, browsing incognito means no cookies are being created or read.

You can turn off cookies completely on your browser. That should prevent Facebook knowing which other sites you are using.

But remember if you are using Facebook on other devices, like a phone, you may have previously given it access to your contact list. I don't know how that can be undone.

[+ bigjoey]

It is not just Facebook. Google, Amazon and others are monetizing your online information. Forget about “big government” spying on you, the corporate world already knows all.

 

Escorts do show up on Facebook’s “people you might know” section. I assumed they got the information from my contacts section. But what was scary was that one escort’s stage name was linked to his real name.

[OCClient]

It isn't just Facebook. Lots of websites track your activity and then use that information to get ad revenue. You can cut down how much you notice this by installing browser add ons like AdBlock+ and Ghostery, but I'm not sure it's possible to avoid being tracked when you are on line.

 

One thing I won't do -- despite Facebook trying to get me to comply for several years -- is give FB my phone number. They try to sell it as some security measure and I see it is another way for them to be intrusive.

I give Fazebuk all the information they ask for. It may not be correct, but I give it. e.g. birthplace, phone number and so on.

 

http://www.returnofkings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Facebook-Thumbs-Down.jpg

[big-n-tall]

Except for the Pre-Crime Bureau... the world is racing closer to what was seen in the movie Minority Report.

 

I try to remain off the grid as much as possible in this day and age... which is becoming increasingly harder if you use any type of modern technology.

[OCClient]

Except for the Pre-Crime Bureau... the world is racing closer to what was seen in the movie Minority Report.

 

I try to remain off the grid as much as possible in this day and age... which is becoming increasingly harder if you use any type of modern technology.

I try to keep my digital image out of the cloud. Beyond that, I screw with all the Sites that ask for information, tweaking things here and there as much as possible.

[+ Gar1eth]

For years I’ve received emails from Facebook listing people I might want to be friends with. And occasionally I’ve recognized some of these people as escorts. I’ve always figured that Facebook somehow looked at my email contacts and matched emails and/or my phone contact list. That’s why I’ve never given Facebook my phone number.

 

Gman

[Rudynate]

No, browsing incognito means no cookies are being created or read.

You can turn off cookies completely on your browser. That should prevent Facebook knowing which other sites you are using.

But remember if you are using Facebook on other devices, like a phone, you may have previously given it access to your contact list. I don't know how that can be undone.

 

 

If you have FB's Messenger app, it gives FB access to every text you send or receive. If you exchange a few texts with an escort to set up an appointment, a few days later, he will turn up as a friend suggestion.

[Reluctant Daddy]

I have a work email account, a separate personal email account, and an email account (and Google Voice) for Rentmen and related sites. None of them are linked, and I haven’t authorized FB to find contacts from any of those email accounts. The only common thread is that I use my iPad and iPhone for all of the accounts, including FB, and I do have FB messenger on both devices. I’m not sure how to buckle it down any tighter. I’ve also noticed that FB seems to be picking up on search terms on sites I search other than Google, Yahoo, etc. (I searched spondylitis on WebMD and have been getting notices on FB for Laser Spine Institute, etc.)

[Rudynate]

I have a work email account, a separate personal email account, and an email account (and Google Voice) for Rentmen and related sites. None of them are linked, and I haven’t authorized FB to find contacts from any of those email accounts. The only common thread is that I use my iPad and iPhone for all of the accounts, including FB, and I do have FB messenger on both devices. I’m not sure how to buckle it down any tighter. I’ve also noticed that FB seems to be picking up on search terms on sites I search other than Google, Yahoo, etc. (I searched spondylitis on WebMD and have been getting notices on FB for Laser Spine Institute, etc.)

 

One thing you can do is get rid of Messenger. I uninstalled messenger on my phone and I don't get any more spurious friend suggestions.