Facebook Encrypting Links To Track Users By Bypassing Browser Privacy Settings: Report

We all know that some websites add encrypting parameters to the web address for tracking and now, Meta-owned Facebook is using encryption to track users by bypassing browser privacy settings.

Earlier, Facebook used the parameter fbclid for tracking purposes. Image: Getty

We all know that some websites add encrypting parameters to the web address for tracking and now, Meta-owned Facebook is using encryption to track users by bypassing browser privacy settings. In other words, the social networking giant is encrypting its URLs for tracking users across pages, the media has reported.

According to a report by ghacks.net, it appears that Facebook is using encryption now to track users. Earlier, the company used the parameter fbclid for tracking purposes, thus, making it impossible to identify the tracking part of the web address, and hence it is no longer possible to remove it from the URL address automatically.

In other words: Facebook has the upper hand in regards to URL-based tracking at the time, and there is little that can be done about it short of finding a way to decrypt the information, the ghacks.net report added.

Tracking parameters used by websites are trailing characters in a URL that are of no use for the user, and they are designed in a way to help the website track the users.

It should be noted that Facebook has been criticised over privacy. 

Meanwhile, earlier in May, Meta started rolling out notifications letting its users know that it has updated its Privacy Policy, formerly known as the Data Policy. The updated Privacy Policy comes after the social networking giant took feedback from its users and privacy experts. The company had said that it made its Privacy Policy easier to understand and it reflects the latest products it offers.

The company had also added that Meta is not collecting, using or sharing user data in new ways based on this policy update and it does not sell user information.