Posted on 03/26/2018 6:13:27 AM PDT by Red Badger
Facebook has been scraping years worth of Android call and text data, according to a report. A company representative told Ars Technica that the practice is "widely used," but users are able to opt-out.
Android cellphone users have noticed that Facebook has saved a virtual trove of their personal call data that extends back years, according to a report in Ars Technica.
Amid an outcry over the social network's handling of a controversy involving a third-party application's misuse of personal data, the publication reported that several Android users who pulled down archive data from Facebook found very detailed personal metadata. That information included call logs containing names, phone numbers, and the length of each call made.
In a statement given to Ars Technica, Facebook pointed out that the call log was "a widely used practice to begin by uploading your phone contacts." The person added that users give their consent by uploading their contacts, a function that's optional. People can also delete contact data from their profiles by using a tool available on Web browsers, Facebook stated.
In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, more Facebook users have become increasingly educated aboutthe data they're sharingwith the platform, and how that information is being used.
Facebook has come under mounting pressure from privacy advocates, advertisers and people who use the platform. On Sunday, the network was forced to take out ads in major publications to apologize for the data scandal.
Some users have even begun opting out of using the site altogether, although Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said last week that people weren't ditching the site in large numbers.
I attempted to install Facebook app on my Android...but could only disable.
Any Freeper techs know how to totally uninstall the FB app?
If it’s built into your respective phone’s ROM, the only thing you can do is disable.
Think any of this will make people actually READ the EULA before they click the “ok” box that says “I have read, and understand this agreement.”? Probably not.
SO GLAD I’ve never been on F-book.
Always knew I made the right decision.
Disabling / Uninstalling FaceBook are good questions.
After the 14-day wait-period, I am FB free.
It will shock a lot of users into second thoughts about using FB............
Google, Twitter do it too..................
They call it metadata. No. Metadata is data about data. What they are describing is envelope data.
Nobody seems to care about the FBI having Geek Squad collect personal info from computers when they’re brought in to be repaired. That one really freaks me out!
Ah, as was foretold... if it is free or cheap, YOU are the product being sold.
The iPhone is too expensive??
Depends on the value you put on your privacy.
Like your Android? By all means keep your Android.
Choices are good for (discerning) consumers.
So, it’s metametadata?..............
That’s just the one we know about......................
Gave up Facebook two years ago after being on for only about two years prior to that. I don’t miss it one bit.
Facebook drags people into a lot of unnecessary drama and trivial crap for the most part. Better to stay away from that crap.
Big Zucker is watching you!
Yep!
I gave up FB back in June of last year, having only been on it since December of the year previous...........
I checked, they don’t have mine. I’ve never given them my phone number.
My son checked, they have his number but have no data on it. He must have his cell phone security locked down.
Zuckerman should be locked up in solitary confinement for the rest of his life to offset the I invasion of everyone’s elses lives. Never to be heard from or seen again.
Does he have an iPhone? iPhones not affected............
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