Is Facebook listening to you?

There have been numerous allegations over the years suggesting that Facebook is listening to us through our smartphone microphones. Although the company has denied it countless times, thousands of people claim online that it must be true.

Why do people think Facebook is listening to us?

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Many people who use Facebook have pointed out on other social media platforms, like Twitter and TikTok, that they believe Facebook is listening to them based on the ads that appear on their page. A TikTok poster, Arlando West, posted a video stating that he and his sister were discussing toilets. Shortly after, an ad for a toilet appeared on her Facebook page. Later, he was discussing a video game with his girlfriend that he had never heard of, and soon after, out of nowhere, an advertisement for the game appeared on his Facebook page as well.

More people who use Facebook have noticed these coincidences happening, and even though the company has denied the allegations both in its Privacy policies listed on the site and even before Congress in 2018, people are still not convinced.

Are there any settings I can change on my Facebook account?

If this is a concern for you, the best thing to do is to disable Facebook’s access to your microphone. Facebook said it only uses your microphone when you’re using features like Facebook Live or making a call through the app, however, you can turn it off if you want by following the steps below. Remember that you will lose access to these features if you decide to do so.

Facebook denied listening to users of the social media platform in its privacy policies and before Congress in 2018. (CyberGuy.com)

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How to Mute Your Microphone for Facebook on an iPhone

• First, go to the app store and make sure your Facebook app is updated
• Then open your Settings app
• Scroll through your list of apps until you find Facebook and select it
• Disable it Microphone option. This will prevent Facebook from using your iPhone’s microphone

How to Disable Your Microphone for Facebook on an Android

• Open your Settings app and seek ‘Authorisation’
• From the search results, select Authorization Manager
• In the list of permissions, tap Microphone
• Select Facebook
• Set microphone access to Refuse

How do I stop people from hacking into my Facebook account?

You should always make sure that all your social media accounts are protected because the last thing you want is someone hacking into your information and posting fake messages pretending to be you. Take a look at these additional steps you can take to ensure your account is always protected.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR FACEBOOK PASSWORD

Use two-factor authentication: this will require you to type in a special code with your Facebook password each time you log into your account. This would mean that a hacker would need to know both your password and your code to gain access to your account. To configure two-factor authentication:

• Press the Menu button at the bottom right of your screen
• Go to Settings and privacy and select Settings
• Select Password and Security
• Select Use two-factor authentication
• Select your security method to find out how you would like to receive your code. You can choose to receive an SMS, use a physical security key, or use an app such as Google Authenticator. Once you have chosen your method, press Continue
• Follow the on-screen instructions depending on the security method you have chosen
• Re-enter your Facebook password to confirm that it is you
• Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions and press Do Once finished

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Make sure to use a current email address: If you ever need to change your password or other Facebook account settings, you should have an email address that you can easily access, as this is Facebook’s primary means of contacting its users. . Verify the email address associated with your Facebook Page by doing the following:

• Press the Menu button at the bottom right of your screen
• Go to Settings and privacy and select Settings
• Select Personal and account information
• Select Contact information
• The email address associated with your account will be listed. If this is not the one you want, select Add an email address and follow the on-screen instructions

Have a strong password: you must have a strong password with upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols that a hacker cannot guess. It would also be helpful if you did not use this password on other accounts you have, such as social media and bank accounts. If you need to change your Facebook password:

• Press the Menu button at the bottom right of your screen
• Go to Settings and privacy and select Settings
• Select Password and Security
• Select Change passwordand follow the on-screen prompts

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Receive alerts on unrecognized connections : There is a setting on your Facebook account that you can turn on that will allow Facebook to alert you if there is an attempt to log into your account that they don’t recognise. Here’s how to activate it:

• Press the Menu button at the bottom right of your screen
• Go to Settings and privacy and select Settings
• Select Password and Security
• Select Receive alerts on unrecognized connections
• Select Noticeand press Have notifications . Then press To safeguard
• Select E-mailand press Receive email alerts. Then press To safeguard

Have you noticed any suspicious ads or activity on your Facebook page? Let us know.

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