According to a report by Ars Technica, Facebook has been saving the personal call data of Android cellphone users. For years.
“…the publication reported that several Android users who pulled down archive data from Facebook found very detailed personal metadata. That information included call logs containing names, phone numbers, and the length of each call made.”1
Given the very recent Cambridge Analytica data scandal, Facebook quickly responded, stating that the call log was “a widely used practice” 2 and that users “gave their consent by uploading their contacts,”3 but that it was a totally optional function. They also said that people could choose to delete contact data from their profiles by using a tool available on Web browsers.
But for me, the bigger issue is: Did people really notice this was happening when they set their Facebook accounts years ago?
RELATED STORY:
Due to mounting pressure from “privacy advocates, advertisers and people who use the platform”4 the social media giant was forced to take out apology ads on Sunday in major mainstream publications.
While there hasn’t been a mass exodus from the site just yet, should CEO Mark Zuckerberg get his wish and the government begin to regulate Facebook, I bet you’ll see one.
We will continue to monitor Facebook stories and update you as necessary.
Are you an Android user? Did you opt out of the call log feature? Did you even know you needed to?
