How does Facebook use our data?

The online publication Lenta.ru reported that Facebook is changing its policy on using user data from January 1, 2015. From the text of the note it follows that the social network will be able to collect personal information and transfer it to third parties without the consent of the owner. The news, picked up by major Russian media, worried even the Minister of Communications Nikolai Nikiforov.

Nothing special. On November 13, 2014, Facebook re -explained what data the social network collects about users and how it uses it (a translation of the document is available to those who use the Russian-language interface). Spoiler: information about users is transferred to analytical companies without names and surnames - it is impossible to identify you by them. In fact, nothing has changed in the social network’s policy, just the explanations have become shorter and clearer.

Facebook collects information about all your activities on the social network. For example, what posts and comments you wrote, where you were when you posted the selfie, how long you spent reading this or that entry in your feed, who tagged you in the photo, and so on. The content of the correspondence is also stored on the company’s servers - in an open form for it. The social network records who you chat with the most and saves contact information that you upload when synchronizing with other services. If you buy something in the game or make a donation through Facebook, the service receives information about your bank card (no, no one can find out your balance and PIN code). In addition, the company collects data about the location of the device you use to use the service, its operating system, signal strength, mobile operator, and even battery level. Facebook knows which sites you visit if there is a “Like” button or the ability to log in through the social network. Any user can find out what information Facebook has collected about him.

Facebook, like all similar services, studies your behavior on the site to improve the site experience (at least that's what it's supposed to do). For example, raising the profile of the person you communicate with the most to the top of the chat list. Or suggest who exactly is shown in the photo. In addition, this data is needed so that advertisers can more effectively offer you their products and services - based on gender, age, country of residence and interests. The information is also used for security: in case someone wants to create an account under your name. And once again: personal data is transferred to analytical companies without names and surnames - it is impossible to identify you from them. In addition, Facebook provides data upon requests from government agencies if it considers them justified.

No. Facebook regularly reports on cases where government agencies request information about users and accounts. Over the past year and a half, 1 such request has been received from Russia . He was not satisfied. For comparison: during the same period, US government agencies sent about 40,000 requests to Facebook and received the necessary information in about 80%.

No. But you can delete your account. Then Facebook will delete all your data. Another option is to create an account under someone else's name. But it’s not easy - and it still won’t help if someone really wants to find you - see “How will you be identified by likes and emoticons?”