Protect privacy on social media with expert Facebook & Instagram tips. Secure your accounts and limit data collection.

How to Keep Your Facebook and Instagram Accounts Safe

Did you know 4.8 data breaches occur daily affecting millions of people, leaking sensitive details like bank account numbers and medical histories? [fact-4] Protecting privacy on social media is no longer optional—it’s essential for safety and peace of mind. With platforms like Facebook and Instagram collecting vast swaths of personal data and facing repeated privacy violations, understanding how to safeguard your information is critical. In this guide, you’ll learn concrete strategies to secure your accounts, limit data exposure, and reclaim control over your digital footprint.

Why Your Social Media Privacy Is More Important Than Ever

The urgency of social media privacy cannot be overstated. Meta’s products (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger) and TikTok rank as the most privacy-invasive social media platforms in 2025, receiving multiple fines globally, including four under the EU GDPR and several in the U.S. and other countries [fact-1]. These platforms are not just digital communities—they’re massive data collection engines. Consider this: less than 20% of US social media users believe Facebook protects their data and privacy, a stark drop from 27% in 2021 [fact-3].

Shocking statistic: 4.8 data breaches occur daily affecting 422 million people, exposing names, social security numbers, home addresses, medical histories, and bank account numbers [fact-4].

This erosion of trust underscores a broader reality: default settings often prioritize data collection over user protection. As Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni, emphasizes: “Social media users have the right to know where and how their personal information is being used, especially given the rise of data breaches and cybercrime in recent years” [fact-7]. Without proactive measures, your every click, location, and interaction can be harvested, analyzed, and potentially sold or leaked.

Just How Much Data Are Social Media Apps Really Collecting?

Social media platforms gather staggering amounts of data—but the extent of their collection habits may surprise you. Facebook and Instagram collect 37 out of 38 possible types of data on user devices, making them the "greediest" in data collection among major platforms [fact-2]. By comparison, privacy-focused Discord collects 0 types of such data, followed by Quora and Pinterest (27 types each) [fact-2][fact-6]. This disparity highlights a critical choice: platforms design their business models around data exploitation, while others prioritize user anonymity.

Common security misconceptions further endanger users. Many believe “Privacy settings fully protect me”—but the reality is that default configurations often favor data collection. Users must actively configure settings to maximize privacy [fact-17]. Equally dangerous is the myth that “Private accounts mean no data collection.” Even tightly controlled profiles still allow platforms to gather extensive metadata and behavioral data [fact-19]. As the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) warns: “Too many social media platforms are built on excessive collection, algorithmic processing, and commercial exploitation of users’ personal data” [fact-8].

How to Lock Down Your Facebook Privacy Settings Step by Step

Fortifying your Facebook account requires deliberate, step-by-step actions. Start by rigorously using privacy settings: limit profile visibility, disable location sharing, and restrict who can see posts and personal information [fact-10]. Next, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add a critical security layer, ensuring only you can access your account even if your password is compromised [fact-11].

Facebook Privacy Flowchart

flowchart TD
    A[Log In] --> B[Navigate to Settings & Privacy]
    B --> C[Click Settings]
    C --> D[Select Privacy]
    D --> E[Adjust Who Can See Your Future Posts]
    D --> F[Limit Past Posts]
    D --> G[Review Who Can Look You Up]
    C --> H[Security & Login]
    H --> I[Enable Two-Factor Authentication]
    H --> J[Review Login Alerts]
    H --> K[Add Recovery Options]

Despite these safeguards, remember that Facebook has been fined multiple times for privacy violations, including once in the U.S., four times under the EU GDPR, and five times in other countries [fact-21]. These penalties underscore the platform’s history of prioritizing growth over user protection—making vigilant settings even more crucial.

Quick Wins for Your Social Media Security

1. Audit data collection now: Review Facebook’s 37 data types and disable unnecessary sharing [fact-2]
2. Enable 2FA immediately now: This step [fact-11]
3. Assume private ≠ private: platforms still collect metadata and behavioral data even from private accounts [fact-19]

Make Your Instagram Profile Impossible to Hack

With 50% of U.S. adults using Instagram—and 80% of adults aged 18-29 actively engaged on the platform—protecting your presence requires immediate action Instagram is used by 50% of U.S. adults, with 80% of adults aged 18-29 using it. Unlike Facebook, Instagram’s mobile-first design can lull users into complacency, making proactive privacy settings essential.

Top 5 Instagram Privacy Settings to Enable Immediately

• Set Account to Private: Restrict who can see your posts and follow you to approved users only.
• Turn Off Activity Status: Prevent Instagram from sharing when you’re online or your “last seen” timestamp Avoid oversharing: be cautious about posting sensitive information such as location, health data, or financial details.
• Limit Ad Personalization: Opt out of targeted ads in Settings > Ads > Ad Preferences to reduce data profiling Opt out of personalized ads and tracking using platform settings or browser extensions.
• Disable Location Services: Avoid geotagging posts or enabling location services in your phone’s Instagram settings Limit data shared at sign-up: avoid linking social media accounts to other services or providing unnecessary personal details.
• Review Third-Party App Access: Regularly audit and revoke permissions for apps connected to your account Regularly audit app permissions: check which apps have access to your social media accounts and revoke those that are unnecessary or suspicious.

Instagram’s default settings often prioritize engagement over privacy, meaning active configuration is non-negotiable Users should rigorously use privacy settings: limit profile visibility, disable location sharing, restrict who can see posts and personal information. For example, enabling “Close Friends” for Stories adds another layer of control, while blocking or restricting accounts prevents unwanted interactions. Remember, even seemingly harmless features like “Suggested Posts” analyze your behavior to serve content—assume every action leaves a digital trace The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) warns: “Too many social media platforms are built on excessive collection, algorithmic processing, and commercial exploitation of users’ personal data.”.

Pro Tip: Pair these settings with Digital Footprint: How to Manage and Protect Your Online Identity for a comprehensive audit of what Instagram—and other platforms—know about you.

Better, Safer Apps to Use Instead of Facebook and Instagram

As users grow wary of data exploitation, privacy-first platforms are gaining traction Users increasingly prefer privacy-focused platforms, driving growth for alternatives like Discord and Quora. These alternatives avoid the opaque data practices of giants like Meta, offering clearer control over your digital identity.

Privacy Platform Comparison

mindmap  
  root(Privacy-Focused Platforms)  
    Discord[Minimal data collection]  
      No AI training use  
      Optional two-factor auth  
    Quora[Transparent data policies]  
      Limited third-party sharing  
      Ad opt-out available  
    Reddit[Community-driven moderation]  
      Pseudonymous by default  
      Customizable tracking preferences  

Why These Platforms Stand Out

• Discord: Unlike mainstream platforms, Discord does not use user data for generative AI training and collects only essential information at sign-up—a critical edge for users prioritizing anonymity Discord does not use user data for generative AI training and collects minimal data at sign-up, ranking it as the least privacy-invasive platform.
• Quora: Offers granular controls over ad personalization and data sharing, with a clear privacy dashboard that outlines exactly what information is stored.
• Reddit: Supports pseudonymous posting and allows users to opt out of most tracking metrics, though its recent AI partnerships have introduced new data-use concerns Discord ranks as the least privacy-invasive platform, followed by Quora and Pinterest; Reddit and Snapchat have fallen in privacy rankings due to AI data usage concerns.

These platforms aren’t perfect—each still collects some data for functionality—but they represent a significant shift toward user-centric design. For instance, Discord’s “Server Rules” let communities enforce privacy norms, while Quora’s “Content Policy” explicitly bans sell-off user data. If you’re ready to reduce your reliance on Big Tech, consider migrating sensitive discussions or personal networking to these spaces.

Common Social Media Privacy Myths—And What’s Actually True

Misinformation about social media privacy can leave users dangerously unprepared. Let’s separate fact from fiction using the latest data and expert analysis.

Myth 1: “Deleting posts removes all traces.”
Reality: Deleted content often lingers on backups or third-party caches Misconception: "Deleting posts removes all traces." Reality: Deleted content may remain on servers or backups and can be retained by third parties. Even if a platform claims “permanent deletion,” legal requests or data breaches can expose previously removed material.

Myth 2: “Only young people use social media.”
Reality: While younger users dominate visual platforms like TikTok, Facebook and YouTube retain strong older-adult audiences. In 2025, 41% of Facebook users are aged 50+, and YouTube remains the most widely used platform across all age groups Misconception: "Only young people use social media." Reality: While younger adults dominate some platforms, older adults also use Facebook and YouTube extensively. This means privacy risks aren’t limited by demographics—everyone needs vigilant safeguards.

Myth 3: “Private accounts mean no data collection.”
Reality: Platforms harvest metadata and behavioral data regardless of account visibility Misconception: "Private accounts mean no data collection." Reality: Platforms still collect extensive metadata and behavioral data even from private accounts. For example, Instagram still records device information, IP addresses, and interaction patterns from private accounts.

Critical Insight: As the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) states, “social media platforms profit from your data—privacy settings only limit visibility, not collection” The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) warns: “Too many social media platforms are built on excessive collection, algorithmic processing, and commercial exploitation of users’ personal data.”.

For a deeper dive into the risks of oversharing, see The Dangers of Oversharing Online.

Weekly Habits to Keep Your Social Media Safe

1. Audit Instagram daily: Review privacy settings and third-party app access weekly Regularly audit app permissions: check which apps have access to your social media accounts and revoke those that are unnecessary or suspicious.
2. Migrate to privacy-first platforms: Prioritize Discord or Quora for sensitive discussions Use privacy-focused platforms like Discord or Quora.
3. Assume nothing is ever truly deleted: Backup important content locally and avoid posting irreversible data Misconception: "Deleting posts removes all traces." Reality: Deleted content may remain on servers or backups and can be retained by third parties.
4. Educate all age groups: Share privacy practices with older relatives who may not realize they’re still being tracked Misconception: "Only young people use social media." Reality: While younger adults dominate some platforms, older adults also use Facebook and YouTube extensively.
5. Opt out of AI training: Where possible, disable permissions for platforms to use your data for generative models Discord does not use user data for generative AI training and collects minimal data at sign-up, ranking it as the least privacy-invasive platform.

Your Easy Checklist for Securing Facebook and Instagram

You’ve learned how privacy settings can be misleading and why assuming “private” means “untracked” is dangerous. Now, let’s get practical. Securing your Facebook and Instagram accounts requires consistent, proactive steps. Below is a 7-step daily privacy audit procedure you can implement right now to minimize data exposure and regain control.

• Audit third-party app permissions weekly to revoke access from unused or suspicious apps Regularly audit app permissions: check which apps have access to your social media accounts and revoke those that are unnecessary or suspicious
• Opt out of personalized ads and tracking using platform settings or browser extensions like Ghostery or AdGuard Opt out of personalized ads and tracking using platform settings or browser extensions
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add a critical security layer that stops attackers from accessing your accounts even if your password is compromised Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure accounts
• Limit data shared during sign-up by avoiding unnecessary personal details and refusing to link accounts to other services Limit data shared at sign-up: avoid linking social media accounts to other services or providing unnecessary personal details
• Avoid oversharing sensitive information such as your location, health status, or financial details in posts or stories Avoid oversharing: be cautious about posting sensitive information such as location, health data, or financial details
• Restrict profile visibility by adjusting settings to control who can see your posts, profile information, and friend lists Users should rigorously use privacy settings: limit profile visibility, disable location sharing, restrict who can see posts and personal information
• Prioritize platforms with minimal data requirements at sign-up, such as Discord or Quora, which collect far less information than Facebook or Instagram Platforms not requiring extensive data at sign-up and avoiding ID confirmation generally score better on privacy

These steps aren’t one-time fixes—they’re habits. Meta’s platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger) and TikTok consistently rank as the most privacy-invasive due to aggressive data harvesting Meta’s products (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger) and TikTok rank as the most privacy-invasive social media platforms in 2025, receiving multiple fines globally, including four under the EU GDPR and several in the U.S. and other countries, making vigilance essential.

What’s Next for Social Media Privacy (And Why It Matters to You)

The stakes for social media privacy are rising. 33% of users have left platforms over privacy concerns, highlighting how critical data practices are to user retention 33% of respondents have left social media platforms over privacy concerns, indicating a significant impact on user retention. Meanwhile, regulators are pushing back: the EU’s Digital Markets Act now requires big platforms to let users opt out of personalized ads and tracking, boosting user control The EU’s Digital Markets Act requires big platforms to allow users to opt out of personalized ads and tracking, increasing user control.

There’s also growing pressure on companies to be transparent about how they use your data. As Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni, emphasizes:

“Social media users have the right to know where and how their personal information is being used, especially given the rise of data breaches and cybercrime in recent years.” Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni, emphasizes: “Social media users have the right to know where and how their personal information is being used, especially given the rise of data breaches and cybercrime in recent years.”

Even “private” accounts aren’t safe—platforms collect extensive metadata and behavioral data regardless of settings Misconception: "Private accounts mean no data collection." Reality: Platforms still collect extensive metadata and behavioral data even from private accounts. For example, Facebook and Instagram collect 37 out of 38 possible types of device data, earning them the label of “greediest” data collectors [Facebook and Instagram collect 37 out of 38 possible types of data on user devices, making them the "greediest" in data collection among major platforms, followed by LinkedIn (31 types), YouTube, and Pinterest (27 types each)](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/social-networks-privacy-rating-2025/54684/.

The shift toward privacy-focused alternatives is accelerating. Discord, Quora, and Pinterest now attract users seeking better safeguards, while Meta faces ongoing fines globally Discord ranks as the least privacy-invasive platform, followed by Quora and Pinterest; Reddit and Snapchat have fallen in privacy rankings due to AI data usage concerns. This trend underscores a broader realization: users increasingly prefer platforms that minimize data collection Users increasingly prefer privacy-focused platforms, driving growth for alternatives like Discord and Quora.

Pro Tip: Control What Anyone Can Find About You Online

For a comprehensive strategy to control what others can find about you online, review our guide: /knowledge-base/digital-footprint-how-to-manage-and-protect-your-online-identity.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Instagram Right Now

1. Conduct weekly permission audits on all social apps to revoke unused access Regularly audit app permissions: check which apps have access to your social media accounts and revoke those that are unnecessary or suspicious
2. Opt out of AI data training wherever possible—platforms like Discord explicitly avoid using user data for generative models Discord does not use user data for generative AI training and collects minimal data at sign-up, ranking it as the least privacy-invasive platform
3. Stay informed about regulations such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which grants users new rights to control ad personalization The EU’s Digital Markets Act requires big platforms to allow users to opt out of personalized ads and tracking, increasing user control
4. Migrate sensitive conversations to privacy-first platforms like Discord, which collect minimal data and don’t fuel ad targeting Discord ranks as the least privacy-invasive platform, followed by Quora and Pinterest
5. Assume nothing is ever truly deleted—back up important content locally and avoid posting irreversible personal data Misconception: "Deleting posts removes all traces." Reality: Deleted content may remain on servers or backups and can be retained by third parties

Your data is valuable—treat it like a critical asset. By combining vigilant settings, selective platform use, and awareness of evolving laws, you can reclaim control over your digital presence today.