7 Facebook privacy settings that require your attention

Facebook’s privacy settings are complicated by design. Although the settings are grouped under just six separate headings, the underlying topics and associated privacy options can be bewildering. While some of the privacy issues are relatively minor – for example, restricting who can send you friend requests – others are more important. The problem is how do we know which ones we can ignore and which ones need our immediate attention?

While each Facebook member’s privacy settings will be a matter of personal preference, we’ve put together a list of 7 issues that we think you should take a look at if you haven’t done so already. Even if you are comfortable with the default settings for your own account, you may want to review them with your kids if they have Facebook accounts of their own.

1.  Review posts you are tagged in before they appear on your Timeline

Did you know that Facebook gives you the opportunity to review posts and photos that you have been tagged in before they appear on your Timeline? This can save you the embarrassment of teachers, work colleagues or your mom seeing embarrassing posts or pictures of you on your Timeline before you get a chance to delete them.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Timeline and Tagging
• Click on the arrow next to Review posts friends tag you in before they appear on your Timeline and change the setting from Disabled to Enabled
• Click Back and verify that the setting now shows On

This won’t stop tagged pictures or posts appearing elsewhere on Facebook but at least it will give you a chance to approve them before they appear on your own Timeline.

2.  Review tags friends add to your posts

If you have added a photo but have been careful not to tag certain people, then the last thing you need is for one of your friends to come along and add a tag for you. Facebook allows you to review those tags before they get added to your posts.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Timeline and Tagging
• Click on the arrow next to Review tags friends add to your own posts on Facebook and change the setting from Disabled to Enabled
• Click Back and verify that the setting now shows On

Remember, it’s always best to get permission before you tag someone in a photo, particularly if the photo is potentially embarrassing.

3.  Turn off face recognition

Using face recognition technology, Facebook automatically suggests adding a tag when a photo that looks like you is uploaded. If you don’t want your name to be suggested, then you can turn auto tag suggestion off.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Timeline and Tagging
• Click on the arrow next to Who sees tag suggestions when photos that look like you are uploaded? and change the setting from Friends to No One
• Click Okay

4.  Restrict how much of your information is captured by apps

Most of us know that using certain apps on Facebook exposes our personal information to app developers and other third parties. However, it’s less well-known that our personal data is also potentially exposed when our friends use apps. Facebook allows you to restrict how much of your information your friends bring with them when they use these apps.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads, Apps and Websites
• Click on Edit Settings next to How people bring your info into apps they use
• Make sure every box is unchecked and click on Save Changes
• Click Okay

5.  Hide your Facebook profile from public search

You can hide your Facebook account (or your child’s account) so it won’t be found when people use a public search engine.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads, Apps and Websites
• Click on Edit Settings next to Public search
• Uncheck the box next to Enable public search and click Confirm

6.  Restrict Facebook’s ability to use your name in third-party advertising

Facebook doesn’t currently allow third-party apps or ad networks to use your name or picture in ads but they include a privacy option for restricting the use of your information if they allow this in the future. We recommend that you pre-empt this move by activating the restriction now.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads, Apps and Websites
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads
• Click on Edit third party ad settings
• Where it says If we allow this in the future, show my information change the setting to No one
• Click on Save Changes

7.  Restrict Facebook’s ability to use your name in social ads

Similarly, Facebook can use your name and likeness in what they call ‘social ads,’ which show an advertising message alongside certain actions you have taken within the Facebook ecosystem such as Liking a page or product. Again, if you don’t want to be used in such advertising you can turn the option off.

• Go to Privacy Settings
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads, Apps and Websites
• Click on Edit Settings next to Ads
• Click on Edit social ads setting
• Where it says Pair my social actions with ads for change the setting to No one
• Click on Save Changes

As mentioned above, this is just a small selection of Facebook’s privacy settings. Take the time to familiarize yourself with all the relevant options, so you are comfortable with how your information is being used. And keep in mind that Facebook’s privacy settings change frequently, so make sure you go back and repeat the review at least once every couple of months.