If this sounds familiar, it's because it's happened before. Meta's near-omnipresence wherever you are online enabled it to gather data on users, even those who don't have Facebook accounts—thanks, in part, to the Facebook "Like" button, a piece of code embedded on most websites. According to this Facebook Help Centre page, if a logged-in user visits a website with this button, the browser sends user data to Facebook so it can load content to that website.
It seems you're discussing the pervasive data collection practices of Meta (formerly Facebook), particularly through mechanisms like the "Like" button. This piece of code is ubiquitous on websites, allowing Meta to track users even if they aren't logged into Facebook by gathering data from their browsers. This is concerning from both a privacy and security standpoint, as it illustrates how user data can be harvested without explicit consent. In addition to that, there are growing discussions about the implications of such data collection practices related to user tracking and online privacy. If you have any specific queries regarding this topic, whether it's about privacy best practices, how to manage cookies and trackers, or perhaps ways of minimizing personal data exposure online, feel free to ask! Here are some best practices you may consider to enhance your privacy:
Use browser extensions: Tools like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin can block trackers and ads.
Adjust browser settings: Most modern browsers have privacy settings that you can configure to reduce tracking.
Utilize private browsing modes: This can help limit the amount of data stored by websites during your sessions.
Regularly clear caches and cookies: This helps minimize persistent tracking across sessions.
It’s important to stay informed about how online interactions can lead to data being collected, and proactive steps can help protect your privacy as much as possible!