It's just unbelievable when you get to know how much data Facebook have on you!
The creepy ways Facebook spies on its users have been detailed in a bumper document presented to Congress .
The 454-page report was created in response to questions Mark
Zuckerberg was asked during his appearance before Congress in April.
Lawmakers gave Zuckerberg a public grilling over the Cambridge Analytica, but he failed to answer many of their queries.
The new report attempts address their concerns, but it sheds little new light on the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
However, it does contain multiple disclosures about the way Facebook collects data.
Some are unsurprising, such as the time people spend on Facebook, while others may come as a shock to the majority of users.
- Device information
Facebook tracks what device you using to access its social media.
To do this, it will log the hardware manufacturer of your
smartphone, connected television, tablet, computer, or other
internet-connected device.
Facebook also tracks the operating system, software versions and web browser.
If you're using a smartphone, it will also keep a record of the
mobile carrier, while internet service providers (ISPs) will be stored
for users using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to access Facebook.
- Mouse movements
Facebook watches the movements of your computer mouse on-screen when you are interacting with the social network.
The company says it does so to help fight against bots on the social network.
- App and file names
Tracking the app you use to interact with Facebook helps the company learn the types of devices you favour.
Facebook keeps a note of the file names in your system for the same reason.
This data is synced with your profile, and will influence the types of advertisements you see when you launch Facebook.
- Device operations
Facebook wants to learn about how you use its social network.
To do so, it records whether you keep your Facebook browser window
at the foreground of your computer screen – or whether you tend to leave
it in the background, hidden behind other windows.
Facebook also watches the 'operations and behaviours performed on the device' while you're active on the social network.
- Device connections
The social network monitors a slew of different connections from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV.
It monitors the signal strength of your mobile data connection (if
you're using one), Bluetooth signals, and information about the nearby
Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers.
This data can be used to establish whether you typically use Facebook in one particular location, or when you're on-the-move.
Nearby access points, beacons and cell towers can also be used to
work out a rough location for the users, which Facebook can use to
tailor search results and adverts.
- Devices that are nearby
Facebook admits that it gathers information about other devices
that are nearby or on the same Wi-Fi network when you login or open the
app.
The Menlo Park-based company says it tracks this data to help users
perform tasks that require multiple devices, like streaming a video
from their phone to their TV.
- Battery level
Battery level of your device is being monitored by Facebook.
The company says it tracks 'hardware changes' on any devices running its service.
This data could be used to track the impact the Facebook app is
having on battery life of the device, however, previous research from
Princeton University claimed battery life data alone could be used to
track individuals across the web.
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Source: Daily Mail UK
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