Facebook and the dread specter of data collection

The sad thing about Facebook is that even if you're not using their service, they're tracking you through the use of third parties and cookies on other, non-Facebook websites. The Daily Mail has a decent article about the topic.

It can collect data on every element of your digital identity on the network, from your search and Messenger chat history to photos you've uploaded and files sent across its servers.

Facebook also makes use of social media plug-ins and cookies - tracking devices that follow a user's internet activity - to collect data via third-party websites.

Every time you like or share Facebook content or visit sites with Facebook ads and trackers you are being watched, even if you aren't signed in.
**Even if you have never entered the Facebook domain, the company is still able to follow your browsing behaviour without you knowing it.
More than 10,000 websites contain invisible trackers, called Pixels, which record information about visitors.

This includes everything from the operating system you use to your IP address and activities on the website during a session.**

What all does Facebook collect? Per their very, uh, "helpful" post, we get the basics.

If you're interested in seeing what Facebook has collected on you, just log in to Facebook (assuming you have an account; not sure how those without accounts would get the information) and select SETTINGS from the menu.
Down at the bottom of the GENERAL tab, shows a link that says "DOWNLOAD A COPY OF YOUR FACEBOOK DATA"... click on that. Log in again. They'll compile the information and email it to the address on the account.