How To Stop Instagram And Facebook From Tracking Your Online Activity
Share this article:
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has long faced criticism for tracking users' online behaviour and selling that data to advertisers. A typical example is when you search for a product like bags and then get bombarded with ads for them across platforms. While this boosts targeted marketing, it raises significant privacy concerns.
To address these issues and provide users with more control, Meta has introduced a privacy feature called Activity Off-Meta Technologies . This allows users to view and manage the data apps and websites share with Meta—including activity that happens outside of Instagram and Facebook.
What Is Activity Off-Meta Technologies?
This feature lets you see which third-party websites and apps send information to Meta. You can disconnect individual platforms, clear previously shared data, or even block Meta from collecting future activity. It's a major step towards improving transparency and giving users back control over their digital footprints.
How to Stop Instagram from Tracking You
To manage past activity:
Enabling Disconnect Future Activity will also erase previously saved data.
How to Stop Facebook from Tracking You
You can also review and manage specific apps or websites that have shared your data with Facebook.
Additional Privacy Tips
Even after tweaking these settings, Meta may still receive some data via third-party sources. To maximise your privacy:
While Meta’s platforms still collect data, these updated privacy tools offer users more power to control their digital information. By taking a few minutes to adjust these settings, you can limit intrusive tracking and enjoy a more private online experience.
To address these issues and provide users with more control, Meta has introduced a privacy feature called Activity Off-Meta Technologies . This allows users to view and manage the data apps and websites share with Meta—including activity that happens outside of Instagram and Facebook.
What Is Activity Off-Meta Technologies?
This feature lets you see which third-party websites and apps send information to Meta. You can disconnect individual platforms, clear previously shared data, or even block Meta from collecting future activity. It's a major step towards improving transparency and giving users back control over their digital footprints.
How to Stop Instagram from Tracking You
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right, then go to Settings and Privacy.
- Tap Activity, then select Activity Off Meta Technologies.
- Toggle on Disconnect Future Activity to stop Instagram from tracking your browsing outside the app.
To manage past activity:
- Tap Your Information and Permissions, then Your Activity off Meta Technologies.
- From here, you can view recent activity, disconnect specific apps, or clear all stored data.
Enabling Disconnect Future Activity will also erase previously saved data.
How to Stop Facebook from Tracking You
- Go to your Facebook profile and tap the three dots at the top right.
- Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
- Under the left menu, click Your Facebook Information, then Off-Facebook Activity .
- Choose Manage Your Off-Facebook Activity, and tap Manage Future Activity.
- Turn off Future Off-Facebook Activity to stop Facebook from tracking you outside the platform.
You can also review and manage specific apps or websites that have shared your data with Facebook.
Additional Privacy Tips
Even after tweaking these settings, Meta may still receive some data via third-party sources. To maximise your privacy:
- Use private browsing modes in your browser.
- Consider using a VPN to mask your IP address and protect your identity online.
While Meta’s platforms still collect data, these updated privacy tools offer users more power to control their digital information. By taking a few minutes to adjust these settings, you can limit intrusive tracking and enjoy a more private online experience.
Next Story
