I understand the investment that so many have made in Facebook and the connections for them that exist on this platform. Despite what they know about the personal data and the data of their friends they are giving to Facebook and companies collecting data from Facebook, they have decided they cannot leave. Here are some thoughts about how you minimalize the signals you send and thus reduce the data you are providing in exchange for your access.
- Do not complete surveys on Facebook. This is how you provided data to Cambridge Analytica.
- Do not use the “like” button (or which ever version of the like button you decide indicates your reaction). The “like” button is used too easily. If you really want to respond, offer a comment. This will be a signal too, but in a cost/benefit way at least you will be offering some information.
- Do not share the posts of friends or links to online content UNLESS you add your own introduction and analysis to the shared material. Again, any of these actions will associate you with the content, but allow this connection only when the content is important enough you are willing to invest some effort in explaining why.
- Use Facebook for a specific purpose. If you use Facebook to interact with family members, use Facebook for that purpose. If you use Facebook to argue your political position, use Facebook for this purpose only. Diversify where you have your online presence. You might also try “Disconnect Facebook” if you use Chrome as your browser. This extension is supposed to limit Facebook’s ability to track your activity when not in Facebook.