It is no secret that Facebook is on the hot seat for its practices involving your data. Here's some of what we know:
As far as I am aware, Facebook App is collecting call logs and text messages on Android only. iPhone security does not allow app access to this information.
Facebook logs calls and texts because people give it
permission to do so. To review your Facebook data, Channel 12 gives you instructions
here.
When you install apps on your phone, they ask permission to access your data. In some cases, if you don't give it permission, it will not install or work. It is important to pay attention to what you are giving apps permission to access.
If you use devices that connect with your business, you likely have an obligation to the business and clients not to give out information. If you are unsure about an app, ask your business IT professional.
For personal phones, the threat is the same. If Facebook is gathering call logs and texts, is it also gathering information from your banking app? Was that included in the data that was compromised last week?
The question I ask myself before installing any app: is the convenience I am getting from the app worth the data I might be leaking? There are some general rules for better security:
- Read privacy and security agreements before you install.
- Know your source (if the app is written in Joe Programmer's basement, you do not want to download it, for example).
- For Android users, download apps only found in the app store.
If you wonder if I practice what I preach, here are the rules I follow:
- I do not install the Facebook App. I run it through the browser on my phone.
- I do not check financial information on my phone.
- I do not shop on my phone unless absolutely necessary.
- I do not shop online EVER with my bank card. I use a credit card.
- I do not tie my main email to my online shopping. I use a dedicated email account.
- I do not allow any apps to have contact information.
- I check "location" privacy regularly to make sure no apps are tracking me without my permission. I set necessary apps like GPS to "while using."
- I check the cellular data section regularly to make sure apps using data (eg, games) do not use cell data unless I want them to.