6 Facebook settings you need to change ASAP

If you use Facebook, you should assume your personal data is valuable, trackable, and constantly requested by advertisers, apps, and third-party partners. The good news is you still have meaningful control if you know where to look.

The reality has not changed since the major data scandals first came to light. Facebook still collects far more information than most users realize. What has changed is how important it is to actively manage your settings rather than trust defaults.

If you care about your privacy, these steps are worth taking today.

Why Facebook privacy matters 

Facebook remains one of the largest data-collection platforms on the planet. Even basic actions like liking a post, joining a group, or logging into another app with Facebook can expose personal details about you and, in some cases, your friends. Many users believe Facebook’s privacy promises fully protect them. In practice, your data is only as secure as the settings you choose and the apps you allow. That is why reviewing these controls regularly is critical.

Step 1: Remove apps and games connected to your account

Apps and games connected to Facebook can access profile data depending on the permissions you granted. Over time, most people accumulate dozens of forgotten connections.

On mobile

• Open Facebook on your mobile phone
• Click the Menu icon in the bottom right of the screen
• Go to Settings & privacy
• Click Settings
• Scroll down and under Your Activity, tap Apps and websites
• Remove any app you no longer use or trust

On desktop

• Click your profile picture (top right)
• Select Settings & privacy > Settings
• Choose Apps and websites
• Click Remove next to unwanted apps.
• Click Remove again to confirm your decision

If you do not recognize an app, remove it. You can always reconnect it later if needed.

Step 2: Turn on alerts for suspicious logins

Login alerts help you spot unauthorized access quickly.

On Mobile

• Open Facebook on your mobile phone
• Click the Menu icon in the bottom right of the screen
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Click Accounts Center 
• Tap Password and security
• Click Login Alerts and enable alerts for unrecognized logins via notifications or email

On desktop

• Click your profile picture (top right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Click Accounter Center 
• Open Password and security
• Click Login Alerts and enable alerts for unrecognized logins via notifications or email

This is one of the simplest ways to catch account takeovers early.

Step 3: Stop using Facebook to log into other apps

Logging into third-party services with Facebook is convenient, but it also creates data-sharing relationships that many users forget about.

To limit exposure:

On Mobile

• Open Facebook on your mobile phone
• Click the Menu icon in the bottom right of the screen
• Open Settings & privacy > Settings
• Tap Apps and websites
• Disable Apps, websites and games

On desktop

• Click your profile picture (top right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Open Settings & privacy > Settings
• Tap Apps and websites
• Disable Apps, websites and games

Once disabled, Facebook can no longer act as a universal login for outside services.

Step 4: Run Facebook’s Privacy Checkup

Facebook’s Privacy Checkup tool helps you review who can see your posts, profile information, contact details, and how your data is used across the platform.

On mobile

• Open Facebook on your mobile phone
• Tap the Menu icon in the bottom right
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Tap Privacy Checkup
• Review each section and adjust anything that feels too open

On desktop

• Click your profile picture in the top right
• Select Settings & privacy > Settings
• Click Privacy Checkup
• Review each section and update your preferences as needed

Privacy Checkup walks you through key areas such as post visibility, profile information, ad preferences, and data sharing. Taking a few minutes to complete it can significantly reduce how much of your information is exposed.

Step 5: Review location tracking carefully

Location data can reveal daily habits, travel patterns, and routines. Facebook no longer displays location controls the same way for every user, but it may still collect location data through check-ins, tagged posts, and location history if enabled.

On mobile

• Open Facebook
• Tap the Menu icon (bottom right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Tap Activity log
• Click Your Facebook Activity
• Review posts, check-ins, and location-tagged activity
• Delete any location data you no longer want associated with your account

Note: Some users may see a Location history option inside Activity Log. If it appears, turn it off and delete past entries.

On desktop

• Click your profile picture (top right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Click Activity log
• Click Your Facebook Activity
• Review posts and check-ins that include location data
• Remove any entries you no longer want visible

If you do not actively use location-based features, there is little reason to allow Facebook ongoing access to your location.

Also, check your phone’s system settings (this matters most)

Facebook’s location access is now primarily controlled by your device.

On iPhone

• On your iPhone, go to Settings
• Click Privacy & Security
• Tap Location Services
• Tap Facebook
• Set access to Never or While Using the App
• Turn off Precise Location

On Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

• On your Android, go to Settings
• Tap Location
• Click App location permissions
• Select Facebook
• Set access to Don’t allow or Allow only while using

Step 6: Limit ad tracking and off-Facebook activity

Even if your profile is locked down, Facebook still uses activity from other apps and websites to personalize ads. This can include browsing behavior, purchases, and interactions that happen outside Facebook.

You cannot fully stop ads, but you can limit how much outside data is used to target you.

On mobile

• Open Facebook on your mobile phone
• Tap the Menu icon (bottom right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Tap Accounts Center
• Select Ad preferences
• Review sections such as:
  • Ad topics
  • Ads based on data from partners
  • Ads based on your activity on Meta technologies
• Set options to Less or Not allowed where available

To review off-Facebook activity (if available)

• From Accounts Center, tap Your information and permissions
• Select Off-Meta activity
• Review recent activity
• Clear past activity and manage future activity if the option appears

Note: Some users may see fewer controls depending on region and account type.

On desktop

• Click your profile picture (top right)
• Go to Settings & privacy > Settings
• Click Accounts Center
• Select Ad preferences
• Review and limit ad personalization options

To manage off-Facebook activity (if available)

• From Accounts Center, open Your information and permissions
• Click Off-Meta activity
• Review connected business activity
• Clear or manage future activity if available

Reducing ad tracking does not eliminate ads, but it limits how much outside data Facebook can use to build a profile about you. This is one of the most impactful privacy settings that many users never review.

Pro Tip: Use strong antivirus protection on all your devices

Even the best Facebook privacy settings cannot protect you if your device itself is compromised. Malware, spyware, and malicious browser extensions can capture logins, track activity, or hijack accounts before Facebook’s security tools ever come into play.

Using strong antivirus software adds an important layer of protection by scanning for threats, blocking malicious downloads, and warning you about risky websites or fake login pages. Make sure it is installed, updated, and running on every device you use to access Facebook, including phones, tablets, and computers.

Related Links: 

• How hackers can craft an attack from your social media profile
• How to protect yourself from social media scammers
• How to detect fraud so you’re not duped on social media

Kurt’s key takeaways

Facebook is not going away, but blind trust should. Privacy on social platforms is not automatic. It requires attention, regular checkups, and smart choices about what you allow.

Have you checked your Facebook privacy settings recently, or are you relying on defaults? We would love to hear what surprised you the most when you reviewed your account. Let us know in the comments below. 

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