Facebook says it collects data even if you're logged out

April 17, 2018 08:46

Facebook, embattled in the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, today revealed that it collected information from people beyond their social network use.

"When you visit a site or app that uses our services, we receive information even if you're logged out or don't have a Facebook account," Facebook's diretor of product management David Baser said in a post on the social network's blog.

"This is because other apps and sites don't know who is using Facebook," he added, noting Facebook was also following up with Congress on a few dozen questions Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was unable to answer at the time of the hearings last week.

Baser said "many" websites and apps use Facebook services to target content and ads, including via the social network's Like and Share buttons, when people use their Facebook account to log into another website or app and Facebook ads and measurement tools.

He also said that the practice was widespread, with companies such as Google and Twitter also doing the same.

"Most websites and apps send the same information to multiple companies each time you visit them," the post said.

"There are three main ways in which Facebook uses the information we get from other websites and apps: providing our services to these sites or apps; improving safety and security on Facebook; and enhancing our own products and services.

"I want to be clear: We don't sell people's data. Period," Baser added.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Should Dhoni bat higher up the order?

West Indies batting great Brian Lara believes CSK's Mahendra Singh Dhoni won't consider a promotion in the batting order.

Can Gukesh maintain lead in Candidates' Chess?

Gukesh to clash with Alireza on what promises to be a photo finish

Struggling Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans in battle of cellar teams

Their campaigns wobbling after a string of defeats, bottom-rung teams Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans will be desperate to arrest the slide and get back to winning ways in their Indian Premier League match in Mullanpur on Sunday.

It's perform or perish time for RCB against KKR

With five consecutive defeats, bottom-placed RCB have the daunting task of winning their remaining seven games to keep their play-off prospects alive.

Kejriwal being pushed towards 'slow death' in Tihar: AAP

Kejriwal, who has Type-2 diabetes, has been asking for insulin and a video conferencing with his family doctor but his requests are being denied by the jail administration, party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said in a press conference.