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Facebook is embedding tracking data inside the photos you download (twitter.com)

513 points by meerita · 2656 days ago · 155 comments on HN

Article summary

Facebook embeds tracking data inside the photos users download, which has sparked a discussion about user privacy and data ownership. The tracking data is added as metadata to the image file. This practice raises concerns about how Facebook uses this data and whether it infringes on the rights of copyright holders. The company's terms of service may grant them the freedom to modify and distribute user-uploaded images.

Main themes

  • Facebook tracking data
  • user privacy
  • data ownership
  • copyright infringement
  • metadata

What commenters say

  • Facebook's practice of embedding tracking data in downloaded photos is a violation of user privacy and trust.
  • The company's terms of service grant them the right to modify and distribute user-uploaded images, including adding tracking data.
  • The tracking data may be used to prevent fake accounts or track re-uploaded images, but its exact purpose is unclear.
  • Copyright holders may not be aware that Facebook is adding tracking data to their images, which could have implications for their rights and ownership.
  • Some argue that Facebook's practice is not new and has been known for years, while others see it as a recent development that highlights the company's prioritization of data collection over user privacy.
  • The addition of tracking data to images may be a necessary measure for Facebook to maintain its services, but it also raises concerns about data protection and GDPR compliance.
  • The fact that Facebook embeds tracking data in downloaded photos suggests that the company is more interested in collecting user data than in protecting user privacy.