Calling All Android Users: Here's How to Disable Facebook's Data Collection Settings
You love connecting with your friends on the go and seeing what your high school ex is up to. But you’re less enthused about Facebook’s recent admission that it collects call and SMS history from people who use Facebook Messenger or Facebook Lite on their Android phones.
(Full disclosure: This is an opt-in feature that you agreed to, but come on, who really reads the fine print?)
The good news is that turning off this feature is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is disable the “Sync Contacts” function.
Here’s what to do, according to the social media network: “If, at any time, they no longer wish to use this feature they can turn it off in settings, or here for Facebook Lite users, and all previously shared call and text history shared via that app is deleted.”
Wondering why the company was collecting this data to begin with? By uploading your contacts, it “helps you find and stay connected with the people you care about, and provides you with a better experience across Facebook.”
But this feature also allows Facebook to use information like when a call or text was made or received. Which sounds kind of creepy, but the network is quick to point out that it doesn’t collect the content of your calls or messages or sell this information to third parties. Remember, you can always control the information you share with Facebook.
Now, back to stalking your ex…
