[HackerNoon] Since 2010, Facebook allows you to download an archive file of all your interactions with the network. It’s a 5-click easy process that your grandmother can do (more details below).
Inside the .zip, lies an ‘index.html’ page that acts as a portal to your personal data. Visually, it looks like an ad-free stripped down version of Facebook that’s actually quite relaxing.
As I’m trying to reduce my exposure to social networks, I decided to take a look at this info. By extrapolating the data of a single individual (me), I might be able to better apprehend the capabilities of the beast. In the end, it all comes down to what is tracked and what can be deduced from that.
We all gave up on privacy…
… we just don’t fully realise it.
Everything you expect is there: your profile, statuses, messages, friends, pokes (Tinder’s ancestor), photos, videos, comments, events. All of it in a 500mb zip file.
There’s a lot of material and you could sift it for hours. Most of the content is unsurprising but there are a few notable facts that are worth exploring.
- Limitless data storage period
- Exhaustive photo metadata,
location, camera, focus, speed, etc.. - Abundant log-in & session data points
Every time you open Facebook, the time, location, IP address, browser & device have been recorded. If you’re part of the 1.4B people that use Facebook on a daily basis, they have enough data points to determine your everyday life patterns with great accuracy: home and work address, daily commute, wake up & bed time, travel duration & destination, etc. - Flawless facial recognition
- Detailed contact list
When you install Facebook’s app on your phone, you give it the right to see your contact list. Once that’s done, Facebook keeps ALL your contacts information forever. - Get to know your advertiser
… because he surely knows you.
Eventually, I realised that the harm potential really depends on 2 factors: the intentions & means of action of the organisation that harvests your data.
Harm potential = money * financial KPI’s — regulatory pressure. - How to get your data?
To download your Facebook backup, just follow the 3 steps described here. Facebook will send you an email once your backup’s ready (it usually takes less than 10 minutes).
For a more holistic approach, check out PersonalData.io. It’s a web service that‘s helping individuals get a hold on their personal data. They’re doing an awesome job referencing data controllers & providing request templates filled with the correct wording & legal jargon. They then publish the requests & answers online so that everyone can appreciate corporate lawyers’ talent for complexifying exchanges & dodging questions. - Dig deeper
Most facts presented in this article are sourced from these reports & websites.
If you wish to learn more or make your own opinion, I think they’re a good starting point.
Facebook machine learning - Stacey Higginbotham from Fortune magazine wrote really interesting stuff on that topic.
Algorithm & user profiling - Julia Angwin, Terry Parris Jr. & Surya Mattu published an awesome 4 episode series on machine bias in ProPublica
Facial recognition legal issues - The Daily Beast’s thorough report taught me a lot.
Archiving your social media data - Liana Bandziulis published a great article on that topic in WIRED magazine.
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