We've always known that Facebook tracks users (members and non members) not only on Facebook but also around the web.
Today, they have revealed a little more on what they do:
Facebook doesn’t track everybody the same way. It uses different methods for members who have signed in and are using their accounts, members who are logged-off and non-members.
The first time you arrive at any Facebook.com page, the company inserts cookies in your browser. If you sign up for an account, it inserts two types of cookies. If you don’t set up an account, it only inserts one of the two types.
These cookies record every time you visit another website that uses a Facebook Like button or other Facebook plugin — which work together with the cookies to note the time, date and website being visited. Unique characteristics that identify your computer are also recorded.
Facebook keeps logs that record your past 90 days of activity. It deletes entries older than 90 days.
If you are logged into a Facebook account, your name, email address, friends and all of the other data in your Facebook profile is also recorded.
You can read the whole post on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2011/11/17/facebook-reveals-its-user-tracking-secrets/
#Thunky
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Facebook Reveals its User-Tracking Secrets
For the first time, Facebook has revealed details about how it tracks users across the web.
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Kind of disturbing, huh?
What we have discovered, +Scott Aughtmon, is that although a small percentage of savvy Facebook users complain when they find out how they are treated, 99.9% don;t know or care.
Facebook can, right now, do whatever it likes and users will keep going back.
That's true. It's become such an important social tool to connect, and interact with, family and friends that many can't imagine living without it! I have a hard time with that thought myself.
Another reminder that what FB considers its playground extends well out beyond it's walled garden. I doubt the tracking is anonymous as well. At the very least FB should post a disclaimer as most websites do who track. I agree with you Jim that most people won't care.