// TAKE ACTION

Take Back Control

Now that you know what Facebook knows about you — including activity from other websites — here's how to limit their tracking.

1

Clear Off-Facebook Activity

This is the most important step. Off-Facebook Activity is data collected about you from other apps and websites. You can clear it and stop future collection.

  • Go to Settings & Privacy → Settings
  • Tap Accounts Center → Your information and permissions
  • Tap Your activity off Meta technologies
  • Tap Clear previous activity — this removes all historical Off-Facebook data
  • Tap Manage future activity → Turn it OFF
Open Off-Facebook Activity Settings

This is one of the most effective privacy actions you can take. It stops hundreds of websites from feeding your data to Facebook.

2

Disable Ad Personalization

Stop Facebook from using your data to personalize ads.

  • Go to Accounts Center → Ad preferences
  • Tap Ad settings
  • Turn OFF "Activity information from ad partners"
  • Turn OFF "Ads shown off Meta"
  • Turn OFF "Social interactions"
  • Review and turn OFF all "Categories used to reach you"
Open Ad Preferences
3

Remove Ad Topics

Facebook categorizes you into "interests" for ad targeting. You can remove these categories.

  • Go to Ad preferences → Ad topics
  • Review each topic and tap See less on topics you don't want
  • Go to Advertisers and hide specific advertisers

You can't remove all topics, but marking them as "See less" reduces how often they're used to target you.

4

Request Data Deletion (GDPR)

If you're in the EU, you can request deletion of specific data under GDPR without deleting your account.

  • Go to Settings → Privacy → Your Facebook information
  • Tap View next to any data category
  • Use Delete options where available
  • For complete deletion, submit a formal GDPR request

Email template for Meta's DPO:

Subject: GDPR Data Deletion Request - Facebook To: dpo@fb.com Dear Data Protection Officer, Under Article 17 of the GDPR (Right to Erasure), I hereby request the deletion of all personal data Facebook/Meta has collected about me, including: - All Off-Facebook Activity data - Inferred interests and ad targeting categories - Data received from third-party advertisers - Location history and activity data - Shadow profile information My account details: - Facebook profile: [YOUR PROFILE URL] - Email associated with account: [YOUR EMAIL] Please confirm deletion within 30 days as required by GDPR. Best regards, [YOUR NAME]
5

Delete Your Account (Nuclear Option)

The only way to fully stop Facebook's data collection is to delete your account permanently.

  • First, download your data (Settings → Your Facebook information → Download your information)
  • Go to Accounts Center → Personal details
  • Tap Account ownership and control
  • Tap Deactivation or deletion
  • Select your Facebook account
  • Choose Delete account and follow confirmation steps

Account deletion is permanent after 30 days. You'll lose all posts, photos, messages, and Messenger access. Consider deactivation first if you're unsure.

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