Facebook's new privacy policy tracks users off-site

Facebook’s revised privacy policy, which all users are automatically signed up to, allows the social networking site to track users activity even after leaving the site.

The changes have been put in place, according to Facebook, to use data to help personalise advertising and stop users being shown information that they don’t want. The site can also pass on any information with its other branches, such as Instagram.

Facebook warned about changes coming into effect in November, and the site has since said that  it showed notifications to users, sent them emails, informing them that the change was coming into effect, and ran a seven day comment period.

According to Digital Intelligence, users can opt out of some parts of the new policy by customising privacy settings. The site has a special settings page for ads, where users can opt out of advertising that is shown on third party sites or is selected by comparing you with your friends. Adjustments can also be made on mobile devices.

To opt out of the site tracking your use across the internet, Facebook asks users to opt out through the European Digital Advertising Alliance, in the UK and Europe, or its equivalent in the US. Going through that service will allow users to opt out of the tool entirely, and once they have done so the preference will stay everywhere that Facebook is used.