The social media giant is now facing new criticism for sneakily adding in a feature that utilizes user phone numbers for other operations without their explicit consent. The major issue that most users have is that they apparently don't have any way to opt out of the feature. The particular feature in question is the ability of the social media platform to use its user's phone number during search queries within the app and for targeted ads.
While this might be fine for users who intentionally place their phone number on their profiles, Facebook apparently also uses phone numbers that were used specifically to set up its two-factor authentication. Most users who entered their phone numbers for two-factor authentication assume that the number would only be used for security purposes and nothing else. However, this isn't really the case as the phone numbers entered through this set up is apparently also used for search and even to target users with adverts.
The feature has apparently already been active for quite some time, but a recent revelation of how it works has sparked a backlash from millions of Facebook users. An employee at the emoji-reference websites Emojipedia recently posted a screenshot of the phone number lookup feature, which showed exactly how Facebook is able to collect and use anyone's phone numbers including those used in two-factor authentications.
The post also showed how Facebook didn't allow anyone to opt out of the feature. Under the platform's privacy settings, users are only able to select three options, namely "everyone," friends," and "friends of friends." There is apparently no option to disallow the sharing of a particular user's phone number and email address.
According to Facebook, the feature was implemented to allow users to more easily search for other people using only their phone numbers and email addresses. The feature directly links phone numbers and email addresses to profiles. The company also reiterated that there is currently no option to add a phone number specifically for two-factor authentication use only. All phone numbers entered will apparently be automatically added to a person's Facebook profile.
Security experts and tech analysts believe that Facebook's actions are misleading as the feature would basically allow the company to use the numbers entered for other purposes without explicit consent. According to a cybersecurity expert working at Atlantic.Net, Facebook is the only company that is doing this and the practice does compromise its user's information.
Last year, Facebook was criticized for using phone numbers used in two-factor authentications to send targeted adverts. The company did admit that it was using the numbers for ad personalization. The company has since removed the phone number and email address lookup feature from its platform, but it is still under scrutiny amidst growing privacy concerns.
