Security News > 2024 > January > Facebook, Instagram now mine web links you visit to fuel targeted ads

Link history stores records for 30 days, can be used to recall pages previously read, and excludes links sent in messages.

Less prominently mentioned on help pages describing the feature on Facebook and Instagram is, of course, perhaps the real reason for the capability: "We may use link history information from our browser to improve your ads across Meta technologies."

There we have it: A new feature that's actually a way to boost targeted advertising after changes by Apple and others hobbled Meta's ability to collect info on its users.

According to the US Justice Department, Olusegun Samson Adejorin allegedly purchased a credential-stealing tool and used it to harvest details for the two charities, one in Maryland and the other in New York.

Using the stolen credentials, Adejorin allegedly asked the Maryland charity's bank to release large sums of cash to the New York charity.

The bank details, of course, weren't for the New York charity, but controlled by Adejorin, it is claimed.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/08/security_in_brief/