Burton Kelso, Tech Expert
How Can I Keep Facebook and Google From Spying On Me?
Updated: May 3, 2021

By now, I’m sure all of you have heard about the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal. This situation has many people running to delete their Facebook accounts and downloading the data that Facebook and Google have collected on you. We are all learning the hard way that our privacy is not a concern for social media networks. They are for-profit companies who are trying to make the most of the products they are selling. That product is us and the aim is to help advertisers craft ads that will cater to what we want and desire. Let’s face it, we all enjoy social media and want to hang around our favorite social media platforms. Rather than disappearing from social media altogether, follow these steps to allow ‘big brother’ to only get limited data on you. How Do They Get Your Data? One of the ways Cambridge Analytica was able to obtain all of that data, was through a third-party app. I know you’ve seen the "Log in with Facebook" or "Log in with Google" option for certain apps or websites. Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest pop up as well, but not as often. Well, when you choose the “Log In with” option, it installs a third-party app, that can have the ability to request your information or to scan your accounts and collect data. You’re thinking, that’s not legal, but actually, it is because as with any app or software application, there is that pesky software agreement. None of us reads it, but in it, you’re allowing the plug-in program to access your data. Why do social