Facebook is so popular that most users continue posting and visiting the site despite all that is known about the collection and sharing of information about personal online behavior. I guess I fall into this category of frustrated, but continuing users. I have made an effort to understand the privacy issues involved and what I can do to limit the damage. Online services argue they collect your personal information to improve your experience as a user. There is a degree of credibility in this claim. For example, if I receive ads I would rather the ads concern services and products I am interested in rather than random promotions. If I use a service to discover information, I would prefer that the information promoted for my consideration be something I might possibly find interesting. In addition, I appreciate that I am receiving a free service from these companies and recognize I must offer something in return.
Of the various things that concern me, I think one service with a specific focus (e.g., search, sharing with friends) using information collected about me from sites with different foci go too far. I don’t want other social services I use following my Facebook activity. A chrome extension – Disconnect Facebook 2016 – allows me this control. I can use Facebook to do what I want and not have this activity shared. When installed, an icon will appear in the browser icon bar allowing the isolation provided by the extension to be turned off and on (the color changes to indicate the present setting – red means sharing is being blocked).
I have used this service now for several weeks and I have experienced no problems. I have to trust that it is working as advertised.
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