Facebook has had a tough time of things of late, with the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal forcing people to actually think − and get worried − about just how much of our data we’ve been feeding to the company over the years.
To help Mark Zuckerberg’s cause, the Wall Street Journal has compiled a handy list detailing all of the information Facebook can get its mitts on when users do something as simple as uploading a picture to the site.
Related: How to delete your Facebook account permanently
You might not realise, but hidden inside that picture is a wealth of information. This could include:
- Where the photo was taken
- When it was taken
- The type of device you use
- Your device ID
- The operating system you use
- Your battery level
- Your signal strength
- Nearby Wi-Fi beacons and mobile phone towers
- Nearby devices
- Your mobile network or ISP
- Your IP address
What’s more, Facebook’s facial recognition technology could enable the company to form links between any faces in that picture − including those of people who aren’t even tagged − with every other bit of information we’ve listed above.
In theory, Facebook could find out exactly where you go even if you don’t actually do anything on the site. All you need to do is stumble into somebody else’s picture.
This would explain why the site’s People You May Know feature is so creepily accurate.
Do you feel sorry for Mark Zuckerberg yet? Share your thoughts (and witticisms) on Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.