How much does Facebook know about you? Export your Facebook data
In light of the recent Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal in the mishandling +50 million users’ Facebook data, now is a good time to see just how much information Facebook knows about you. This will not only surprise you, but should definitely concern you, if you are an engaged Facebook user.
A large amount of Facebook’s revenue comes from advertising. This helps to keep their service free for users. Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t explicitly tell users what type of information they’re collecting, how much they’re collecting, and why.
Facebook is constantly tracking information about its users – however, most users will not be aware of just how much data it can siphon from a single photograph. Facebook hints at how much data it is able to detect when it suggests people who might be in the photograph, prompting you to tag them based on facial recognition. It will also detect the location the photo was taken. In most cases, users will confirm the tag, as well as the location. Providing Facebook with more data. The deeper you dive, the more you will think twice about sharing any information on Facebook.
For example… Does your Facebook profile show the State you reside? Perhaps where you work, and what school or university you attended? Do you frequently Like or Follow Facebook Pages such as sports athletes, singers or actors? Are you commenting on your friends posts, Like their images or share a news article on your wall? And of course, who doesn’t love uploading their holiday images so everyone can see how much fun you’re having!? Unfortunately, all of this information is stored in Facebook’s database, and is essentially owned by Facebook. Yes, this means that your holiday photos are technically not yours, exclusively. And this also means that this data can be sold to businesses to use for their advertising. Put simply, the things you do and information you provide on Facebook.
With this in mind, we encourage you to export your own Facebook data to see how much of your personal information (and images) are accessible to your ‘friends’ and businesses. The steps below will take less than 1 minute, however the file download may take longer to export if you are an active Facebook user.
What you discover may humour you, scare you, or just give you something to talk about at the dinner table. In any case, Good luck!
Before you export…
- Warning: If you are strict on your Internet Data Usage, this may be a large file to download
- Recommend: Export your data on your computer / laptop. It will be much easier than on your mobile / tablet device
Here’s 8 easy steps to export your Facebook data (with images to guide you):
Step 1:
– Login in to Facebook.
– Click on the small upside down triangle on the top right of your homepage bar
– Click Settings
Step 2:
– After clicking on Settings, you will be taken to the General Account Settings
– Stay on the page General Account Settings,
– Click on ‘Download a copy of your Facebook data’ under the Manage Account option
Step 3:
– You will be taken to a page that reads ‘Download Your information’
– Click on the ‘Start My Archive’ button
Step 4:
– You will then be prompted to re-submit your Facebook password
– Click Submit to confirm
Step 5:
– A popup will display with ‘Request My Download’
– Read the information provided to understand the next steps. Put simply, after you confirm, it may take some time for Facebook to extract your data, including your photos, wall posts, messages and general information
– Click on the ‘Start My Archive’ button
Step 6:
– A popup will confirm that your Facebook data will now begin the export process
– Click the ‘Okay’ button
– You will receive an email from Facebook confirming the data export. The subject line will read ‘Facebook Download Requested’. This will be sent to the email address you use to log in to your Facebook account. See image below
Step 7:
– Once the data has been exported, you will receive a second email from Facebook. The subject line will read ‘Your Facebook download is ready’
– Be sure to read the information provided in the email.
– Click on the link at the bottom of the email. It is a secure link and trusted. Refer to the image below.
– Note: It may take up to 5-10 minutes to receive this email, depending on how much Facebook data you have. If you still have not received the email after 30 minutes, check your junk inbox.
Step 8:
– You will be sent back to Facebook portal on the page that reads ‘Download Your Information’
– To download your Facebook data, click on the ‘Download Archive’ button
– Note: Depending on how much data you have on Facebook, this file may be large and take some time to download.
Step 9:
– Congratulations, the Facebook export is complete.
– Extract the Facebook export folder to access your data
– Depending on how much data you have on Facebook, will depend on how many folders are displayed. I.e. The image below may be different to your export folder.
– Go through the folders and files and see just how much data Facebook has stored on you
– Please shares this blog with your friends and family!
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