Facebook shares global users' personal data with thousands of other companies?

Research results show that user data is being collected by the social networking platform Facebook and shared with many other companies around the world. Accordingly, based on data from Meta, Facebook's parent company, it shows that on average, Facebook collects user data and shares it with more than 2,230 other companies globally.

The publication of this research has raised deep concerns about the scale of surveillance and the potential impact of social media platforms on users' privacy and data security.

The study revealed that the average user's data was shared with more than 2,230 companies, with some user data shared by Facebook with more than 7,000 other companies, including Amazon, PayPal, and popular retailers like Home Depot, Macy's, and Walmart.

What is the impact of data sharing on user privacy and data security?

The sharing of user information-related data to a series of other companies by Facebook in particular and other social networking platforms in general has had far-reaching impacts, not only raising concerns about user privacy and data security but also emphasizing the need to establish regulations and tighter supervision of data activities on social networking platforms.

The study's findings have reignited debate about the need for stronger data protection laws and greater transparency around data sharing practices.

With growing awareness of the scale of surveillance and data sharing, there is an urgent need to enact regulations to ensure users have greater control over their data and are fully protected against rampant data collection and sharing practices.

Facebook's data sharing has long been a controversial topic. Facebook's data-sharing agreements with other companies such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix and Spotify have raised concerns about the scale of data sharing and the potential impact on user privacy.

Furthermore, Facebook has been criticized for its lack of transparency and the difficulty researchers face in accessing independent, shareable data sources from the platform. The Cambridge Analytica data scandal, in which the personal data of tens of millions of Facebook users was harvested and misused, has further heightened concerns about user privacy and consent on the platform.

While Facebook claims it does not sell user data to other companies, the scale of data sharing and the potential impact on user privacy raises important questions about users' rights and the responsibilities of tech companies in handling the data they collect.

The debate over the ethical implications of Facebook’s data sharing continues. There are no easy answers to these questions. However, continuing to ask important questions and hold tech companies accountable is essential to protecting user privacy in the digital age.

How does Meta react to Consumer Reports' research results?

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has defended its data sharing practices. While it does not deny sharing user data, Meta insists it is transparent about how it collects and uses user information.

Accordingly, Meta said that they only share data with authorized partners to provide specific services to users, such as displaying relevant ads or performing market analysis.

Meta stressed that users can control how their data is used through Facebook's privacy settings. For example, users can opt out of receiving ads based on their interests or limit the data that third-party apps can access.

At the same time, Meta claims it complies with all applicable data privacy regulations, including the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Meta's defense, however, has been met with skepticism by security experts, many of whom worry that sharing data so widely could compromise users' privacy and leave them vulnerable to data abuse.

Additionally, some experts say Facebook's privacy settings are too complex and confusing, making it difficult for users to truly control their data.

In short, the Consumer Reports investigation revealed a shocking truth: Facebook users' data is being shared with thousands of other companies. This requires urgent attention and action from national regulators and policymakers.