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Download and protect your Facebook data in just a few clicks

You can't put the genie back in the bottle but you can know what they know about you.

The Facebook privacy scandal has users demanding to see how much the social media giant knows about them and how they can limit the amount of data they're giving out.

The bad news is that your data may already be out in the wild and in the hands of third party advertisers. The good news is that you can download a copy of your data and prevent its future spread in just a few clicks.

Download a copy of your Facebook data

Screenshot of how to download your Facebook data with the link circled in red.
Screenshot of how to download your Facebook data with the link circled in red.

1. Go to your Facebook homepage and click "Settings" from the top-right drop down menu.

2. Scroll to the bottom and select "Download a copy of your Facebook data."

3. The site will take a short while to make a file of all your data. Wait a few minutes and then the site will notify you in the platform and via email that your data is ready.

4. Click "Download archive."

5. Enter your password.

6. Save it to your desktop.

Stop apps from sharing your data

Click "Settings" then "Apps" on the left and you'll see this screen to manage your data settings.
Click "Settings" then "Apps" on the left and you'll see this screen to manage your data settings.

1. Go to your Facebook homepage and click "settings" from the top-right drop down menu.

2. Click "Apps.”

3. You'll see a screen with four boxes. Under "Apps, Websites, Plugins," click "Edit.”

4. Click "Disable platform."

This will stop you from logging in to websites using just your Facebook credentials and you may have to create new accounts or log in another way.

Limit what data apps can share

Uncheck the boxes for any piece of personal data you're not comfortable with being shared with marketers when your friends, not you, use apps on Facebook.
Uncheck the boxes for any piece of personal data you're not comfortable with being shared with marketers when your friends, not you, use apps on Facebook.

1. Go to your Facebook homepage and click "Settings" from the top-right drop down menu.

2. Click "Apps."

3. You'll see a screen with four boxes.

4. Under "Apps others use," click "Edit."

5. De-select every button for every bit of personal information you're not comfortable sharing with data marketers.