Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is making a change to how it uses data from other websites and apps. The company says it isn’t collecting any new information, but rather expanding how it uses the data that other websites and apps already share with Meta.

How It Works

Imagine you’re planning a trip to Orlando. You browse vacation rentals, search for flights, and read restaurant reviews on sites like OpenTable. Some of those companies may already share information about your activity with Meta through tools designed to measure advertising performance and customer engagement. In the past, that information was primarily used to help target advertisements. Under the new policy, Meta may also use it to show more travel-related content in your Facebook feed or have Meta AI suggest vacation ideas when you ask for recommendations.

The goal, according to Meta, is to create a more personalized experience across its platforms. To see what information is already connected to your Facebook account, you can check your account settings. You may be surprised by how many companies appear on the list.

Can You Turn It Off?

Yes, but the setting isn’t particularly easy to find. In Facebook or Instagram, you need to open your profile, tap the menu button, open the Accounts Center, select ‘Your Information and Permissions,’ and then tap ‘Activity from Other Businesses.’ Look for the option that says ‘Don’t allow us to use this activity to show you relevant content.’ Meta says this setting is rolling out now, so it may not appear in every account yet.

Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.