Logo
News

Facebook Launches New Tool But It Is Ridden With Privacy Loopholes

Off-Facebook Activity is the social media giant’s answer to the recent backlash on privacy violations.

Facebook Launches New Too

Privacy is non-negotiable and Facebook learned it the hard way. 

After Cambridge Analytica’s misuse of Facebook users information and user data leaks by Cultura Colectiva, the company's reputation has been shaken over the past years. In an attempt to rebuild the company’s image, last year,  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company would develop a “Clear History” feature that would allow the users to delete the data that Facebook shares with third-party apps and websites. 

Now Finally, the Facebook tool is ready to roll out in select geographies with a new name, ‘Off-Facebook Activity.’

What Is Off-Facebook Activity? 

Earlier due to Facebook privacy policies, it was difficult for users to view which companies shared information with Facebook but now, Off-Facebook Activity, a Facebook’s new privacy tool will allow users to see a list of business houses that have shared data with Facebook and details of how many times they have done so.

Off-Facebook Activity

With facebook tool, users can: 

  • View brief information about what other apps and websites have sent Facebook via online business tools such as Facebook Pixel or Facebook login.
  • Disconnect the information from their account if they wish to; and
  • Opt-out from future off-Facebook activity and this can be your entire Off-Facebook activity or some specific apps and websites.

What Will Happen If You Opt-In for Off-Facebook Activity?

If you choose to go with off-Facebook activity, Facebook will delete your identification information from the company’s servers.

Facebook will also not keep a record of any of the websites and apps you’ve visited and won’t use any of your data which you wish to disconnect from target ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.

Naturally, the Off-Facebook Activity is going to affect the company’s ad business and advertisers are concerned over its impact on facebook tools for business, David Baser stated.“If this were widely adopted, it would mean less overall revenue for Facebook. And that’s O.K,” he added.

In its blog post, Facebook announced that the tool will launch in South Korea, Spain, and Ireland in the coming months.

Loopholes to Off-Facebook Activity tool

Off-Facebook Activity is a good initiative by the company to give users more control. However, the tool is not without some loopholes.

After viewing Facebook’s Help Center post, it was pointed out that even after users have opted for the Off-Facebook Activity, the social media mogul can still see your data for up to 48 hours for their advertising purposes. Post that Facebook will simply decouple your data from your personal profile and will still be a part of aggregated contexts. With the launch of the new tool, it will be interesting to see how Facebook will find out the balance between its ad business and safeguarding users’ privacy.
 

Manish <span>Content Strategist</span>
Written By
Manish Content Strategist

With a mixture of literature, cinema, and photography, Manish is mostly traveling. When he is not, he is probably writing another tech news for you!

Think Your Professional Journey
Deserves A Spot In Our 40 Under 40 Report?

Featured Blogs

News

Duolingo Launches New AI Tutoring Service with GPT-4 Features through Duolingo Max Subscription

4 min read  

Duolingo has just launched its new Duolingo Max subscription tier, which offers access to a pair of GPT-4 features. The first feature, "Explain My Answer," allows you to ask Duo, the chatbot named after the company's owl mascot, to explain why your answer to a question was rig

News

Apple Design Awards 2019: Top 9 Apps Of The Year

4 min read  

“Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.”Every app developer or app owner wants their app to get recognition and nothing could be better than the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference’s stage. At the ongoing annual event, Apple announced the winners of Apple De

News

Here’s Why CEO Of Twitter Was Paid A Salary Of $1.40 Last Year

4 min read  

When you think of CEOs, you automatically consider them receiving a huge annual pay. And that might be the case with the majority of CEOs, but not with Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter. Yes, that's true! The CEO of one of the largest social media networking platforms is making headlines with its

News

The New Opera Touch Android Browser Lets You Browse By One Hand

4 min read  

Opera has rolled out its new mobile browser, Opera Touch, that is expected to boost the Opera’s browser market in the near future. The company has rightly followed the market trend and have come out with some interesting features. The new browser is perfect for those users who work simultaneou

Featured Interviews

Interview

Interview With Coyote Jackson, Director of Product Management, PubNub

MobileAppDaily had a word with Coyote Jackson, Director of Product Management, PubNub. We spoke to him about his journey in the global Data Stream Network and real-time infrastructure-as-a-service company. Learn more about him.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With Laetitia Gazel Anthoine, Founder and CEO, Connecthings

MobileAppDaily had a word with Laetitia Gazel Anthoine, Founder and CEO, Connecthings. We spoke to her about her idea behind Connecthings and thoughts about the company’s services.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With Gregg Temperley, Founder Of ParcelBroker App

MobileAppDaily had a word with Gregg Temperley, Founder. We spoke to him about his idea behind such an excellent app and his whole journey during the development process.

MAD Team 4 min read  
Interview

Interview With George Deglin, CEO Of OneSignal

MobileAppDaily had a word with George Deglin, the CEO and co-founder of OneSignal, a leading customer messaging and engagement solution, we learn multiple facets related to customer engagement, personalization, and the future of mobile marketing.

MAD Team 4 min read  
MAD Originals
MAD Originals

Cut to the chase content that’s credible, insightful & actionable.

Get the latest mashup of the App Industry Exclusively Inboxed

  • PRODUCTS
  • SERVICES
  • BOTH
Join our expansive network, build connections and expand your brand presence.