Why Social Media is So Data-Hungry
The business model of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook is based on a simple principle: the more they know about you, the more precisely they can place ads, the more advertisers pay. Your data is the product.
What Social Media Collects About You
- Location data (even when you don't think so)
- Facial recognition in photos
- Which content you watch and for how long
- Your contacts – even those without an account
- Your browsing behavior outside the app
Instagram: Change These Settings Now
Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy: Set account to private.
Settings → Ads → Ad Preferences: Disable data-based advertising.
Settings → Security → Your Activity: Regularly check what Instagram has stored about you.
TikTok: Special Caution
TikTok is Chinese and subject to Chinese data protection law. Check all permissions under Settings → Privacy.
Your Rights Against Social Media
You have the right to access (Art. 15 GDPR), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17) and data portability (Art. 20). i2 can send deletion requests on your behalf.