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Facebook is a multifunctional platform, some that are visible, some not so much. This much-beloved application is a wonderful way to share what information you chose; to select individual, groups or the world at large. By joining Facebook, and it is a choice, you are asked a select few questions and are accepted as a member, and then you can begin sharing news and photos with family and friends for the cost of an internet connection.

What you may not realize is every action generates data that is collected, compiled, and sold to interested targeted marketers. Facebook accumulates information from the sites you visit, the personal devices you own, as well as your location settings. With these three sets of information, they can extrapolate a great number of inferences about your life and future. With growing clarity, the targeted marketing is getting much more accurate.

Add to this the ability to track every like and share, and the data mining can begin. Information that those closest to you are unaware of, are now stored online. Facebook now takes this information and is able to establish up to 98 data points of interest for every person engaged on Facebook. Information advertisers are actively seeking. Facebook offers their advertising partners a program referred to as Facebook Pixels, which selects custom audiences and tracks conversion for enhanced business success.

Facebook has also partnered with Epsilon and Acxiom. These marketing research companies, farm government records, warranties, surveys, and commercial services for additional information. This mountain of information is available without breaking any privacy laws. It is entirely possible that Facebook already has a good idea what’s for dinner, as they are privy to what stores you shop, when and if you use coupons, and recipes sites you’ve visited. Anonymity is no longer an option.