How to protect your privacy on Facebook

by Volker Weber

Got to this page and uncheck the checkbox behind "Instant Personalization". Also remove all checkmarks on this page.

You also have to block the applications Microsoft Docs, Pandora and Yelp.

Comments

Thank you, Volker. Unchecked.

Oswald Prucker, 2010-04-22

Interesting: This switch doesn't exist as long as you don't use english language in your settings. Anyway - it has been switched off already for me.

Steffen Pelz, 2010-04-22

Steffen, your right. Not possible in "Deutsch". Strange - to say the least.

Oswald Prucker, 2010-04-22

This is often the case. If you switch languages, new features appear.

Volker Weber, 2010-04-22

DANKE!

Martin Hiegl, 2010-04-22

Nice ones. The apps coming out based on these latest APIs that are available will tread on some pretty scary ground.

Kevan Emmott, 2010-04-22

Done...

Karsten Lehmann, 2010-04-22

I took the wrong english first: English(Pirate)
Had a good laugh! You should try!

Posted 2 shots o' rum ago.
Arrrrrr

Patrick Bohr, 2010-04-22

Also "English" as such isn't sufficient. Only works with English US. At least I don't get the option with my standard English UK setting.

Armin Grewe, 2010-04-22

Good tips. I am testing a new Facebook app that actually simplifies and walks you through your privacy settings and what they mean. The app review will appear on Social Stalking as usual

Chris Miller, 2010-04-23

Volker, thanks a lot!

Alexander Koch, 2010-04-23

I find it annoying that Facebook provides uncounted settings that affect your privacy, but no page with a concise overview what data applications you connect to will see.

One should think that this would be easy to provide.

Martin Böhm, 2010-04-23

Hmm,
I see the checkboxes (already unchecked ;-)) with language set to German.

Stefan Weigand, 2010-04-23

After switching to English US and unchecking the first checkbox it apperas also with the German interface. Peter Schaar and Ilse Aigner, where are you, when you are really needed?

Sven Richert, 2010-04-23

Interesting. "Umgehende Personalisierung" is now available in the german interface and turned off by default. Maybe Facebook took the privacy concerns and complaints by german users (and politicians, cough) seriously.

Oliver Regelmann, 2010-04-23

The point here is: Why is it opt-out and not opt-in?! At least, why am I not notified about this new "feature" with all its privacy implications?

Second important change: "We matched your current profile info to related Pages." If you know, that pages are basically public information this single click makes most parts of your profile public!

Peter Weinfeld, 2010-04-23

Thanks Volker! These guys at facebook are constantly changing settings and features, my impression is: the users are always one step behind!!
This is really annoying, I am seriously thinking about dropping facebook completely ...

Axel Koerv, 2010-04-23

Actually do you have to proactively block those 3 applications whether or not you use them. The problem is if *your friends* use them, your information will be revealed through them. This obscure little fact is revealed in the fine print of the checkbox everybody is so frantic to turn off.

Bill Ballantyne, 2010-04-23

Are you sure this happens if you turn of all checkmarks on this page?

Volker Weber, 2010-04-23

Thanks for this Volker.

One day I'll die and there will be no-one to take care of this kind of thing for me. As per Axel, I am also thinking about dropping Facebook on account of the way they are going about these things.

Also, I find I have no option to proactively block Microsoft Docs.com, Pandora, and Yelp as per the small print Bill points to. I am not signed up for them which may have something to do with it but given Facebook's apparent attitude I daren't assume everything is blocked. Can anyone advise me on this? Please!

Ian Scott, 2010-04-23

Thanks a lot! As always, good tips...

Mark Altmann, 2010-04-26

I think you have the makings of a "sticky post" here...

Thanks for the info.

Kevan Emmott, 2010-04-30

Thanks for the headsup!

Lars Berntrop-Bos, 2010-04-30

After matching your interests & activities with pages, modify the your privacy settings again. There should be new panels at http://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=privacy§ion=profile_display# set to "Everyone".

Peter Weinfeld, 2010-05-02

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