A Consumer Reports investigation revealed the extensive tracking of Facebook users, with data sent from an average of 2,230 companies per user. The study sheds light on the scale of surveillance and raises questions about data privacy and consumer rights.

Key Findings

1 Massive Data Sharing:
- 186,892 companies sent user data to Facebook.
- The tracking includes server-to-server methods invisible to users, beyond visible Meta Pixel tracking.

2 Types of Data Collected:
- Custom Audiences: Advertisers upload lists of users (emails, mobile IDs) to target specific or "look-alike" audiences.
- Events: Includes user actions like website visits, purchases, or app interactions, even from non-Facebook platforms.

3 Top Data-Sharing Companies:
- Includes LiveRamp, Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, and credit agencies like Experian.
- Ambiguities: Over 7,000 company names in the study were unreadable or unclear.

Privacy Issues

• Transparency Gaps:
• Tools like Meta’s "Your Activity Off Meta" are hard to interpret and use.

• Companies often ignore opt-out requests or fail to disclose complete information.

• User Expectations Misaligned:

• Most users don’t expect Meta to track offline behaviors like store visits or article views.

Recommendations for Policy Changes

Data Minimization:
- Limit data collection to only what's necessary for services.

Stronger Consumer Rights:
- Expand the role of "authorized agents" (e.g., apps like Permission Slip) to help users manage their data privacy.

Ad Transparency:
- Create public archives showing all ads served, similar to the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Enhanced Data Readability:
- Make data easier for users to understand and act on through transparency tools.

How to Check and Protect Your Data

• Go to Facebook's Account Center > Your Information and Permissions > Your Activity Off Meta Technologies to review connected companies.
• Use apps like Permission Slip to opt out of and delete data shared with third parties.

Call to Action

With no federal privacy law in most U.S. states, advocacy for stronger privacy protections is crucial. Urge elected officials to prioritize legislation limiting widespread tracking and data sharing.

Bottom Line: Meta’s extensive data collection practices underline the urgent need for transparency, user control, and comprehensive digital privacy laws.

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