What You Don’t Know About How Facebook Uses Your Data

Facebook’s tracking stretches far beyond the company’s well-known targeted advertisements. And details that people often readily volunteer — age, employer, relationship status, likes and location — are just the start. The social media giant also tracks users on other sites and apps. It also collects so-called biometric facial data without users’ explicit “opt-in” consent, and helps video-game companies target “high-value players” who are likely to spend on in-app purchases.

The sifting of users gets into personal — even confidential — matters. The company has allowed marketers to target users who may have an interest in various health issues, like the 110,000 Facebook users who were listed under the category “diagnosis with HIV or AIDS,” the 51,000 people listed under erectile dysfunction, and 460,000 users listed under “binge-eating disorder awareness,” according to 2015 data submitted as an exhibit in a lawsuit. Facebook says it has since removed those “targeting options” and does not create targeted ad audiences involving users’ medical conditions.