Facebook again

No, this is not about the rebranding they are undertaking. It's about another way they are tracking users via the Facebook app, specifically on the iPhone. Cybersecurity experts have analyzed how the app interacts with the accelerometer in the iPhone and can collect and infer a lot of information that the user has no idea about. There is no way to disable this access without deleting the Facebook app from the iPhone, because Apple does not allow users to deny permission for the Facebook app to continuously track the accelerometer data.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2021/10/23/apple-iphone-users-delete-facebook-app-after-new-tracking-warning/

The accelerometer is a sensor built in to the phone that can detect motion and vibration. They can be very precise.

One example of the kind of data they could theoretically gather: if you have blocked Facebook from directly collecting your location data, but your accelerometer is picking up the same vibration pattern as another FB user who does allow location tracking, FB could essentially match your location with theirs. So if you're riding in a train or bus near another FB user they could possibly infer your location even if you have denied location permission to the app.

The researchers also tested other social apps and found that the FB app is pretty much the only one that is constantly harvesting the accelerometer data. FB could change the app (but why should they) or Apple should make accelerometer data something the user can choose not to share. In the meantime if you have a FB app on your iPhone, that data is being harvested all the time, and the phone owner can't stop it.


I try to minimize my use of FB, but it's hard as many businesses and local services use it as their primary communication means. Here's a few things I do to try reduce the data exhaust I emit online:

- On mobile, I try to use the browser rather than an app as much as possible. As you noted in your post, apps are able to access a lot more data, and it's harder to block them.

- I often will have my browser request the "desktop version" of a site. This works especially good for FB, since otherwise FB tries to force you to use Messenger for PMs, and the last thing I want is two FB apps on my phone. I'll stick to 0, thank you.

On desktop, I use Firefox as my browser. There are a few reasons for this. First, it's in general more privacy-focused. On the topic of FB, for instance, check out it's use of Facebook containers. Second, I think it's generally good to actively choose non-market leaders in monopolistic situations where you can, to encourage some more market diversity. Google and Microsoft shouldn't be the only common browsers.

- I've been using Duck Duck Go instead of Google for search.

I use the ublock origin browser extension (it's also available for Chrome. Sadly, not available on mobile). You'll be amazed how different the internet feels without all the ads -- it's been transformative for watching clips from late night shows on YouTube

- I've started paying for services I actually use. For instance, I've been transitioning from Gmail to Fastmail. Arguments here are similar to those for using FireFox instead of Chrome. Plus, if I'm going to be using and Ad Blocker, seems I should then actually pay for things I value if I'm going to be philosophically consistent. Also, as they say, if it's free, you're the product.


ETA -- actually I do still end up with FB apps on my phone as my family insists on using WhatsApp. Ah well -- I try not to be absolutist about these things. My goal is to reduce, not eliminate, the amount of data I'm leaking.


We can only fight back by tracking Zuckerberg online and posting those odd videos.


They're changing their name to META - for metaverse!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/tech/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-keynote-announcements/index.html

Sounds like he's formally announcing that he's acquiring all of you metadata.  

Pretty lame.  


It’s ironically hard/weird when you don’t use FB-owned apps (I dropped my WhatsApp which was as close as I got), and everyone is trying to get you to start using one.  blank stare 

The closest I come is the QR check-in app; I won’t bank or do other such things on a mobile device. Much rather use the desktop at home with better security.

Actually turned my phone off for a whole 24hours, and felt completely wicked!!! smile



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