What The Tech: Meta Changes
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Meta is making a change to Facebook and Instagram that could affect what you see in your feed and even the answers you get from Meta AI.
The company says it isn’t collecting any new information. Instead, it’s expanding how it uses information that other websites and apps already share with Meta. Most people know Facebook uses data to show targeted ads. If you’ve ever searched for a new grill, pair of shoes, or vacation destination and then started seeing ads for those things on Facebook, you’ve seen that system at work.
Starting next month, Meta says it will begin using some of that same information to personalize content in Facebook and Instagram feeds, along with responses from Meta AI.
How It Works
Imagine you’re planning a trip to Orlando.
You browse vacation rentals, search for flights, and read restaurant reviews on sites like OpenTable. Some of those companies may already share information about your activity with Meta through tools designed to measure advertising performance and customer engagement. In the past, that information was primarily used to help target advertisements.
Under the new policy, Meta may also use it to show more travel-related content in your Facebook feed or have Meta AI suggest vacation ideas when you ask for recommendations. The goal, according to Meta, is to create a more personalized experience across its platforms.
What Companies Are Sharing?
I decided to see what information was already connected to my Facebook account. Inside Facebook’s settings, I found activity associated with nearly 100 different companies, including Starbucks, Peacock, and Walmart.
What surprised me most wasn’t the list of companies. It was the amount of activity being shared. Peacock alone showed nearly 400 interactions connected to my account. That doesn’t mean Meta has a complete record of everything you’ve done online. The list only reflects activity that businesses have chosen to share with Meta through their websites, apps, and advertising tools.
Still, many users may be surprised by how many companies appear on that list.
Can You Turn It Off?
Yes, but the setting isn’t particularly easy to find.
In Facebook or Instagram:
• Open your Profile
• Tap the Menu button
• Open Accounts Center
• Select “Your Information and Permissions.”
• Tap “Activity from Other Businesses.”
• Look for the option that says “Don’t allow us to use this activity to show you relevant content.”
Meta says this setting is rolling out now, so it may not appear in every account yet.
The Real Surprise
The biggest surprise may not be that Meta wants to use this information in more ways. It may be discovering just how much information other companies are already sharing. If you’ve never looked at your “Activity from Other Businesses” page, it may be worth a few minutes of your time. You could learn a lot about what information is already connected to your Facebook account.
