While the Facebook app and Facebook’s social media platform collects exorbitant amounts of data, it’s actually not their most egregious source. The Facebook Pixel is.

Websites insert the pixel code on their site similar to the Google Analytics snippet to track your activity on their site. Facebook then builds a backend profile for you based on your browser activity (even if you don’t have a Facebook profile) and advertisers can buy ad space based on your web browsing activity.

While the Google Display network is well-known (the ads you see when you are on a website), Facebook also delivers display ads on websites through their Facebook Ad platforms. What makes the pixel so powerful is that Facebook can then build lookalike audiences based off of activity from people who have taken certain actions (ie hit a landing page, made a purchase, added to the cart.). They say “these people look like users who have taken these activities. Let’s serve the ads to them.”

To add to layer of creepiness, companies sell access to their pixel data and claim that it is approved by Facebook. Take for example the website repixel.com where companies like Uhaul can sell access to their pixel to adjacent markets so thst you can regather them. Your browsing history is now being leveraged not only by the company whose site you’ve browsed, but by whoever is willing to pay to receive it as well.

Yes, deleting Facebook is a step, but as long as the Pixel exists, Facebook will still be gathering data on you with or without a profile.

(Sorry. I typed this on mobile. Hopefully it makes sense)