Facebook offers a variety of privacy settings, but navigating them can be tricky. Here’s a breakdown of essential steps and tips to better protect your personal data and manage your experience.

Key Facebook Privacy Settings

‘Clear’ Your Off-Facebook Data
- What It Does: Disconnects data collected by other apps/websites from your account (doesn’t delete it).
- Steps:
- On a Computer:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity.
2. Click Clear Previous Activity and toggle Disconnect Future Activity.
- Note: Disabling this also turns off Facebook Login for apps.

Keep Location Data Private
- Why: Stops Facebook from using precise GPS location for ads.
- Steps:
- Android: Settings > Location > App Permissions > Facebook > “Allow only while using the app” or “Deny.”
- iPhone: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Facebook > Choose “While Using the App” or “Never.”
- Extra: Adjust the Background Location setting in the Facebook app.

Limit Data Collection via Apps
- Why: Prevents apps and websites using Facebook Login from accessing your account data.
- Steps:
- On a Computer:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites.
2. Select apps to remove > Click Remove.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Why: Adds an extra layer of security to your account.
- Steps:
- On a Computer:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.
2. Follow prompts to use a text message or authentication app like Google Authenticator.

Make Your Profile Harder to Find
- What It Does: Reduces visibility on search engines and limits lookup by phone/email.
- Steps:
- On a Computer:
1. Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy.
2. Edit settings under “Who can look you up?” to Only Me.
3. Turn off “Do you want search engines outside Facebook to link to your profile?”

Control Who Sees Your Posts and Photos
- Why: Prevents oversharing with unintended audiences.
- Steps:
- On a Computer:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy.
2. Under Who can see your future posts?, set to Friends or create a custom group.
3. Use Limit Past Posts to make old posts more private.

Ad Settings and Controls

Take Some Control Over Targeted Ads
- Adjust Settings:
- Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Settings.
- Turn off:
- Data about your activity from partners
- Ads shown off of Facebook
- Social Interactions

Avoid Ads on Sensitive Topics
- Steps:
- Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Topics.
- Search for or select a topic (e.g., alcohol, weight loss).
- Choose See fewer.

Enhanced Privacy Tips

Prevent Facebook Tracking on Other Websites
- Install Browser Extensions: Use Facebook Container (Firefox) or ad blockers like Privacy Badger to limit tracking.

Control Messaging Preferences
- Steps:
- Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > How you get message requests.
- Adjust settings for message requests from strangers and Instagram connections.

Clean Up Your Friends List
- Regularly review and unfriend people you don’t know well to protect your account.

Extra Steps for Facebook's Sibling Apps

• Adjust privacy settings on Instagram and WhatsApp for additional protection.

By customizing these settings and tools, you can reclaim control over your data and enjoy a safer Facebook experience!

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