Hacker News Reader

Wait how can I set my preferences for the activity they're tracking on me if I don't have an account?

I'm not under any illusions they're not trying to track me despite me not having an account with them.

We know that FB tracks us just as much as the people who have accounts. But we have less access and fewer rights.

Actually if you're in the EU you have more rights (but may have a hard time enforcing them).

Data collection, according to the GDPR, requires a reason. If I have a Facebook account you're in a relationshio with the company and so they can argue that you agree to providing your data (it's all there in the 12000, or so, "User Agreement".

If you do not use Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp you are not in a business relationship with the company and they have no right to collect and store your data.

I have a feeling that there's a very nasty legal fight with the EU brewing here in a few years time.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com