Privacy Issues: Is Your Phone Number Really Safe With Facebook?

If you have a Facebook account, then chances are you’re used to the powers-that-be making chances and creating things without asking your permission to do so (case in point? Have you seen Facebook’s new relationship pages?).

But have you ever wondered why Facebook asks you to enter your mobile phone number for ‘security reasons’ every now and then? Well, let’s just say that it’s less to do about security and more to do with advertising.

According to reports, Facebook has been offering its advertisers a powerful new way to track FB users as they surf the web. The practice is known as “phone number retargeting” and, you’ve guessed it, it allows advertisers to see what you view as mess about online so they can create advertisements designed to make you buy stuff. Sneaky, right?

But that’s not all. According to AdExchanger, Facebook has also recently developed a new “conversion pixel” which is basically a type of tracking device, that is displayed within the ads you see on your Facebook home page.

The combination of phone retargeting and conversion pixels is believed to allow advertisers to target you directly with ads and then measure how you respond to the adverts. And while the advertisers don’t know who you are or what your name is, they do have access to your phone number, apparently.

Can we ever really feel secure when it comes to social networking?

While this type of game tactic has been used on other websites for years, most of us Facebook users have no idea that it’s happening to us on Facebook. Mainly because, like with a lot of other things on the social networking website, we were given no warning and no option to opt out.

Now, your number isn’t being sold to an advertiser, but it’s still being shared with a third party without your knowledge, which is slightly unfair when you think about it.

What do you think ladies? Has Facebook gone too far where individual privacy is concerned? Do you think the website is obligated to let you know of any moves they make which have an effect on your personal privacy?