Social media giant Facebook denies a new claim that it gathers text messages you opt not to share publicly
In a recent development, concerns have been raised about Facebook's (Meta) data collection practices, with a focus on private photos and the ambiguity surrounding unposted text data.
A tech consultant based in Ireland, Priomh Ó hUíginn, has claimed that Facebook collects all content typed into its website, even if it is not posted. However, current sources do not corroborate this claim, focusing instead on the collection of private photos.
Meta is currently testing a feature that accesses users' entire camera rolls on mobile devices. This access includes photos that users have not posted or may have chosen not to share, essentially mining private, unpublished images from users' devices. The photos are then continuously uploaded to Meta's cloud, even if they are never publicly shared.
Facebook's spokesperson has stated that they do not store the content typed but choose not to post or share it. However, this statement does little to alleviate the concerns raised by Priomh Ó hUíginn, who believes that Facebook does not care about individuals' privacy and personal thoughts.
Priomh Ó hUíginn found that a HTTP post request was sent to Facebook each time he wrote out a status, containing the exact text he entered. This discovery has led him to become more cautious about what he enters into the text area on Facebook.
The issue of Facebook's data policy remains ambiguous, with the company's policy failing to clearly outline the data it collects, including the collection of content provided when creating or sharing. This ambiguity has fuelled concerns about the company's data collection practices, particularly in relation to unposted content.
In 2009, Facebook faced a backlash for removing a clause that promised to expire the license it has to a user's 'name, likeness and image' if they remove content from the site. This incident highlights the company's history of questionable data practices and raises questions about the rights it has over content that is not posted.
Following a protest campaign, Facebook returned to its previous terms of use, but the rights it has over content that is not posted remains unclear. Priomh Ó hUíginn has expressed concern about the potential censorship of his own thoughts due to Facebook's data collection practices.
In December 2013, it was reported that Facebook plants code in browsers that returns metadata every time someone types out a status update or comment. This practice, if true, could potentially raise further concerns about the company's data collection practices.
In light of these concerns, it is important for users to be aware of what data Facebook collects and how it is used. While there is no confirmed evidence that Facebook collects unposted text entered on its website, the collection of private photos and the ambiguity surrounding data collection practices remain a cause for concern.
References: 1. The Verge 2. TechCrunch
Social-media giant Facebook, also known as Meta, is facing scrutiny over its data collection practices, particularly the collection of private photos and unposted text data. A tech consultant, Priomh Ó hUíginn, believes that Facebook may be collecting all content typed into its website, even if not posted. This can raise questions about future implications for user privacy and personal thoughts in the realm of technology and entertainment.
