How to Stop Facebook From Selling Your Browsing Data
Digital Advertising Alliance to the Rescue
The Digital Advertising Alliance is responsible for enforcing ethical privacy practices across the online advertising industry.
In was formed in 2009 after a group of seven advertising bodies in the United States agreed to implement self-regulation.
In 2010, the group created AdChoices. AdChoices is a number of mandatory and regulatory guidelines that totally cover all online internet-based advertising. The program is primarily interested in the privacy practices that are relating to behavioral advertising.
One of the tools that AdChoices offers is WebChoices. WebChoices allows internet users to opt-in and opt-out of behavioral advertising from individual companies.
Using WebChoices
To start making use of the WebChoices tool, go over to the tool’s homepage at optout.aboutads.info.
As soon as the pages completely loads, it will start carrying out four checks: a JavaScript check, a network quality test, and first- and third-party cookies checks. The checks make sure that your browser can carry out the upcoming test perfectly.
Assuming that you pass the four checks, the tool would then request the IBA status of your browser’s IBA status. It will scan across 133 different companies. Facebook is one of them. The scan will take a few minutes to complete.
Once it’s finished, click Continue and you will see the results on your screen. The results are divided into three columns.
For each company, you would either see Yes or No in the Ads Customizing menu on your Browser column. To learn more about each business, simply click on the + icon that is on the left-hand side of the business’ name.
You would now have two options. To block all the companies from tracking your activities, just click on Select All in the Opt-Out column. Alternatively, you can mark the checkbox beside each individual company that you want to block.
When you are ready, click on Submit Choices at the bottom of the screen. The tool would automatically process any opt-out requests that you have made. Again, the process could take a number of minutes.
Eventually, you would receive a notification letting you know of the status of your request. If any requests are not processed correctly, you can click Try Again.
Multiple Browsers
Remember, this tool is only going to prevent companies from tracking you on the browser you’re currently using.
If you also want to block Facebook from harvesting the data on your browser, Android, and iOS, keep on reading. We would look at both platforms.
How to Prevent Facebook From Using Your Browser Data on Your Android
Although you could visit the DAA’s tool on your Android’s web browser, the operating system offers a more straightforward way to opt-out of behavioral advertising. It would apply to the Facebook company and any other companies that are tracking you.
To start, open up the Settings application, scroll down, and click on Google. Next, navigate to Services > Ads. You need to move the toggle next to Opt-out of Ads Personalization into the On position.
When you enable the setting, the Android operating system will prevent all the apps on your device from using your advertising ID. Consequently, they won’t be able to build a behavioral profile of you.
To be extra secure, you can also tap Reset Advertising ID. Any data that’s already been collected will no longer be linked to your account.
How to Stop Facebook Using Your Browser Data on iOS
Like Android, iOS offers you a way to stop Facebook from logging and later selling your data. It is a native part of the iOS operating system.
To begin, open the iOS Settings app. Next, navigate to General > Restrictions. Inside the Restrictions menu, click on Enable Restrictions at the top of the page. You will have to enter your restrictions passcode.
Scroll down to the Privacy section and click on Advertising. Select Allow Changes.
Now, return to your Settings app and go to Privacy > Advertising. Slide the toggle next to Limit Ad Tracking into the On position.
As with Android, you should also tap Reset Advertising Identifier to unlink any existing data from your Apple account.
Make Changes on Facebook
To complete the process, it’s worth making sure your advertising settings on Facebook itself are locked down.
Navigate to Facebook’s homepage and log in to your account. Go to the Settings menu and click on Ads in the panel on the left-hand side of the screen.
In the ads settings menu, turn off Can you see online interest-based ads on Facebook and Can your Facebook ad preferences be used to show you ads on devices such as computers, mobile devices, and connected TVs.
