Stop Facebook & Instagram From Spying on Your Browsing: A Step-By-Step Guide

G GOWTHAM
Social media apps like Facebook and Instagram are notorious for tracking your activity—even when you’re not scrolling their feeds. They do this to show personalized ads and understand your online behavior. The good news? You can take control of your data. Here’s how.

1. Why They Track You

Before you fight back, it helps to know what they’re doing:

  • Collect your browsing history via the Facebook Pixel on websites.
  • Track links you click from social media apps.
  • Monitor app usage and online behavior to serve targeted ads.
  • Share data with advertisers to predict your interests.
In short: they’re watching to make money off your clicks.

2. Use Your phone Settings to Block Tracking

Both iOS and Android allow you to limit app tracking:

  • iPhone/iPad:
    • Go to Settings → Privacy → Tracking.
    • Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.
  • Android:
    • Go to Settings → Privacy → Ads.
    • Turn on Opt out of Ads Personalization.
This reduces the amount of data data-facebook and instagram collect.

3. Adjust data-facebook & instagram App Settings

You don’t need to delete your apps—just tweak privacy settings:

  • Open the app → Settings & Privacy → Settings → Ads.
  • Turn off Ads based on data from partners.
  • Turn off Ads based on activity on data-facebook Company Products.
  • Limit ad topic personalization.
This won’t stop tracking entirely, but it reduces targeted ads.

4. Use Private Browsing Modes

Your browser can help too:

  • Enable Incognito Mode in Chrome or Private Browsing in Safari.
  • Close the browser after sessions to remove cookies and tracking data.
  • Avoid logging into data-facebook or instagram while browsing other sites.
5. Clear Cookies & Site Data Regularly

Tracking often relies on cookies—tiny files storing your browsing info:

  • On Chrome/Edge/Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Browsing Data → Cookies.
  • On Safari: Settings → Safari → Clear history and Website Data.
Regular clearing makes it harder for apps to track you over time.

6. Consider Using Privacy-Focused Browsers

Some browsers block trackers automatically:

  • Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default.
  • Firefox – has strong anti-tracking features.
  • DuckDuckGo Browser – prevents social media trackers.
These browsers make life harder for data-facebook and instagram spies.

7. Limit App Permissions

Both apps request access to more than just your social feeds:

  • Location: Turn off or set to While Using the App.
  • Contacts: Avoid syncing your phone contacts.
  • Camera & Microphone: Only allow when necessary.
Fewer permissions = less personal data collected.

8. Log Out or Use a Separate Browser

If you must browse websites but want to avoid tracking:

  • Log out of Facebook/Instagram before visiting other sites.
  • Use a different browser than the one you use for social media.
This prevents trackers from linking your activity to your account.

9. Use a VPN for Extra Privacy

A VPN hides your IP address and location from trackers:

  • Encrypts your internet traffic.
  • Makes it harder for advertisers to target you.
  • Adds a layer of anonymity when browsing.
10. Final Tip: Be Mindful of What You Click

Even with all technical measures, your online behavior matters:

  • Avoid clicking suspicious links or ads.
  • Limit interactions with apps that encourage data sharing.
  • Think before granting permissions.
By combining settings, browser tools, and mindfulness, you can significantly reduce data-facebook and instagram tracking.

💡 Pro Tip: You don’t have to go fully off-grid. Even small changes like turning off tracking and using private browsing can dramatically cut down the data social apps collect about you.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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