
If you've given an app or service access to your Facebook account, it might use your location information for its own purposes. Facebook can gather this information partnering with loyalty programs and other payment-tracking services. It also confirms your interest in certain subjects and willingness to spend money on them. If you click on or even view an ad online, then follow up by visiting a bricks-and-mortar location, Facebook can figure this out and give feedback to advertisers, letting them review the effectiveness of their advertising.If you've visited a store, venue or event recently and have given Facebook permission to track your phone, this could be taken as an indication of your interest in certain types of businesses, products, experiences or other factors such as political opinion or entertainment interests.Your location helps build this profile on you in a few ways, including: If Facebook believes you fit into a category like this, you might see ads, articles or other content from that advertiser pop up in your feed or elsewhere on Facebook. Instead, advertisers approach Facebook (or vice versa) with a goal like "We want to reach women under 40 who enjoy skiing and are likely to buy products online".
Facebook account tracker how to#
How to avoid giving away your personal details onlineĭespite what is commonly believed, Facebook doesn't sell your information to advertisers. If you share where you live on Marketplace or respond to an event invitation, Facebook records this.įacebook has also confirmed it partners with retailers via loyalty programs to track instore purchases. If you make a post and select that you are "with" someone else that Facebook knows the location of, then it will know your whereabouts by association. User activity – Facebook lets you check into venues or tag venues (for which it likely knows the street address and type of establishment) when you post.It's been confirmed that Facebook will estimate your location using your IP address, even if you opt out of location tracking. IP address – IP (internet) addresses give a vague idea of your whereabouts, sometimes down to the postcode.Location services – This involves your phone or tablet's GPS coordinates, as well as Wi-Fi and cellular network locations.Here are three ways Facebook tracks your location: How Facebook tracks and collects your data How to control Facebook location tracking and permissions.


Facebook account tracker download#
If you’re curious about how much is known about you, you can request a download of the information Facebook has gathered on you over the years. The places you go, your opinions on them and the things you buy or do there are all valuable information for advertisers. The countless ways Facebook collects your data are still being uncovered by journalists and government bodies the world over.Īmong the many data categories is location tracking and history. Third parties might also track you if you've linked your Facebook account to a separate app or service.Location services, your IP address, and your online activity can all be used.Facebook tracks your location data, mostly for advertising purposes.
