Previously, regardless of whether the user will use the Facebook service, Facebook will collect a large amount of data about the user. The company's most important data is the user's browsing history, including the user's visit to the site and application list, even if the user does not use the Facebook application, Its browsing history is also collected. Facebook application developers use software plug-ins to send user browsing data back to Facebook and collect relevant information.
The reason why the company is keen to collect these browsing data is mainly to sell targeted advertisements to users. For example, if you search for a pair of shoes on Nordstrom but do not place an order, then you will see similar on the Facebook platform. Advertising of shoes.
Now, users will be able to choose whether or not to refuse Facebook to collect this data. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday local time that Facebook users can choose to refuse data collection for the first time.
As part of the upcoming 'Clear History' feature, users can delete their browsing data from Facebook servers or ask companies not to collect their own data. A company spokesperson confirmed that the user's browsing data will remain in a An anonymous summary database is used to provide services to companies that use the Facebook platform for analysis, but this data is not tied to the user’s profile or used for targeting. Of course, if the user does not have a corresponding Facebook account, he or she can’t refuse New features for data collection.
If the user chooses to delete data only and not reject it completely, the Facebook platform does not immediately delete the data. After the user requests the company to delete the data, Facebook will still keep the information in a short time. But this time is less than the company currently holding the user 90 The historical data of the sky is much shorter. A spokesperson also pointed out that some aggregated analysis data will be stored for two years.
Over the past six weeks, Facebook has received public criticism because its own data strategy allows Cambridge Analytica, a third-party research company, to collect data from unlicensed tens of millions of Facebook users. And data collection strategies are heavily updated.
Since feeling the user’s anger and pressure from politicians, plus the privacy regulation known as GDPR that will come into force in Europe later this month, Facebook has been modifying its data strategy.
The ability for users to choose whether or not to clear browsing history is arguably Facebook's biggest update so far. This is because it directly affects the amount of user data Facebook can collect. All other updates Facebook has announced also generally limit the company’s ability to share with third parties. The amount of data, but did not solve the problem of how much data you collect.
Zuckerberg will announce the 'Clear History' feature on Facebook's annual developer conference F8 on Tuesday morning local time: 'Today at our F8 meeting, I will discuss the new privacy controls we are developing, named ' Clear History '. '