I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
It’s all about location tracking, phone numbers you saved even from years ago, and your connections through friends of friends. The data mining is everywhere.
I once looked into my Google account and found phone numbers from seven phones ago—like 20 years old. Google and Meta (Facebook) talk to each other.
Tatum said:
It’s all about location tracking, phone numbers you saved even from years ago, and your connections through friends of friends. The data mining is everywhere.
I once looked into my Google account and found phone numbers from seven phones ago—like 20 years old. Google and Meta (Facebook) talk to each other.
Exactly. They can figure out where you went to school, where you worked, and even people with similar interests who you may have been around.
They know through everything you do online. Do you think anything you do is really anonymous? Facebook is free because you and your data are the product.
I created a Facebook account just for Oculus 2 and locked it down so no one could find me. The first suggestion for people I might know was my mom. I think they’re using names, phone numbers, and birthdates from public records to make connections.
I get suggestions from coworkers and friends of my friends all the time. Last weekend, I was watching random YouTube videos with friends, and without typing anything, YouTube started suggesting the videos we were talking about! These big companies collect your habits, build profiles, and share data. Your phone listens to what you say, and if you use WhatsApp, it knows what you’re typing too. There’s not much you can do except accept it.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
Facebook is a master of data mining. They use everything: Pixels, proximity, you name it. Even if you don’t have a Facebook account, they can create what’s called a “Shadow Profile” of you.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
They use your location and other stuff to figure it out.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
It’s probably people who have you in their contact lists that Facebook accessed. Then Facebook connects people they know and tries to match you up. They keep digging until they find a link.
Nope, no connection at all with this person. New phone number, new Facebook name, no mutual friends, and they live 1,000 miles away.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
Has anyone figured this out yet? For me, it happened just a few hours ago. I guess it’s just something I accepted… lol.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
Has anyone figured this out yet? For me, it happened just a few hours ago. I guess it’s just something I accepted… lol.
I think it’s based on the people we’ve searched for. There’s no other explanation.
Chen said:
I can’t figure out how Facebook does this. I can have a brand new phone with no contacts and haven’t talked to someone in years, but when I log into a NEW Facebook account, I see people I knew years ago in real life who I never communicated with online. How is this even possible? This can’t just be AI, right? If it is, we’re in trouble. How could it know I interacted with this person 3 years ago, using a totally different phone?
I even switched to a different phone model, a different service provider, and a completely new number. We have no mutual friends either… so how do they do it?
They also link accounts using IP addresses. If you’re at home or on your phone, your IP address usually stays the same for a while, so they can tell the new account is related to others that used the same IP address.