Summary
Facebook is a website that allows users to sign-up for free profiles, connect with friends, and work with people they do not know, all online. It allows users to share pictures, videos, musics, and articles, as well as their own thoughts with whomever they want.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
April 2019
More than 540 million records of Facebook users were publicly exposed on Amazon's cloud computing service. Supposedly, two third party Facebook app developers posted the records in plain sight. Account names, IDs, and details about comments and reactions to posts were stolen.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Your information may be shared with third parties. Facebook is known to have a lot of information on its users, and tailor your ads based on your information and interests. These ads may also contain malware.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Facebook collects a lot of its users' personal information and uses this information to target you with ads. Facebook has also been known to share this information with third-party partners such as advertisers, law enforcement, academic researchers, and analytic services.
Good Things
- Facebook can block content that contains regulatory or legal risk.
- There are strict security settings for users to set, so make sure to set to your liking.
Bad Things
- Concerns of users being vulnerable to online predators, criminals, and identify theft.
- Facebook is known to keep tabs on all your information, so be wary.
Final Thoughts
Facebook is notoriously bad when it comes to protecting user privacy. They have been the target of several hacks, and have been known to sell user information to third parties, such as Cambridge Analytica. Use Facebook with extreme caution.