Meta has confirmed that all Facebook users will soon get a new option called “Register Link,” after rolling out the option in some regions in recent months.
This option creates a private list of all the links you click on in the Facebook mobile app.
Meta explains that the new option makes it easier to find links you interact with in the Facebook app.
“You can activate this option at any time,” Meta said. If this option is turned on, we will store all the links you click on Facebook and visit in your Facebook mobile browser for 30 days. "
Meta says it won't save links you've visited through private chats in Messenger or this option, and that you can remove links from your history at any time.
The company allows users to opt out of the new option, which takes effect by default because it uses data from the new option to target ads.
As new technologies and privacy laws restrict this practice, Meta is redoubling its efforts to find new ways to continue collecting data.
The company offers the link history option as a useful tool for consumers to keep their browsing activity in one place.
“With the new option, you will never lose a link again,” Meta said in a pop-up asking users to accept the new tracking method.
The company says it uses this information to improve ads in its products if you agree to enable the link history option. If you disable this option, Meta promises to delete your “link history” within 90 days.
According to Facebook's help page, link history isn't available everywhere and the company says it will roll out this option globally over time.
This represents a slight improvement in privacy as Meta still tracks the links you click, and this is the first time users have had visibility or control over this option.
The new option doesn't mention the intrusive ways Facebook can monitor your behavior after you visit a page.
It is worth noting that Meta uses all of its products to track user behavior outside its platform, and millions of companies around the world that want to advertise on the Meta platform need to add a tracking tool called Meta Pixel to their websites.
This tool essentially allows Meta to monitor users' online behavior over time and then use that data to deliver targeted or personalized ads to users when they use Meta's products.