How to stop Instagram from Tracking all your Web Activity with this New Feature

Internet privacy has now become a significant concern for consumers across the globe. With the explosion of social media platforms, web tracking and data collection have become increasingly prevalent.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, and its subsidiary Instagram, are notorious for actively monitoring user web activities. However, Meta has now introduced a new feature that prevents the tracking of such activities, thereby offering users ad control and enhanced privacy.

Unveiling the 'Activity Off Meta' Feature

The latest update from Instagram introduces a feature called 'Activity Off Meta'. This tool displays the data that Meta has tracked while you were online but not actively using Instagram.

The screen shows you your recent activity history tracked by Meta, the ability to erase all the tracked activity, and a much-anticipated option to block Meta from tracking your future web actions. Notably, this data is not exclusive to Instagram and reflects all online tracking via any Meta-associated app, including Facebook.

How to Block Instagram from Tracking My Activities?

1. Open the Instagram app on your device.
2. Select your Profile Picture icon on the bottom right and open the Three Bar Menu.
3. Go to Settings and Privacy.

4. In Account Center, navigate to Your Information and Permissions.
5. Go to Your activity off Meta technologies.
6. Select Manage Future Activity.
7. Lastly, choose Disconnect Future Activity and hit Continue.

This action will prevent Meta from tracking your future web activities and clear your past logged data.

The Controversial Privacy History of Meta

Despite introducing new privacy-focused features, Meta's track record regarding user privacy is anything but commendable. Meta has been fined seven times around the world for violating user privacy rights.

It was fined $5 billion by the FTC during the Cambridge Analytica scandal for sharing unauthorized user data and faced another blow when the European Union imposed a $1.3 billion fine in May 2023 for transferring Europe-based user data overseas.
Meta's cumulative fines exceed those paid by tech giants Apple, Google, and Microsoft combined. Consumer privacy is a fundamental right, and it has become a battleground for technology giants.

Finally, a Step in the Right Direction

Despite a murky past, Meta appears to be taking small yet essential steps towards mending its reputation, and most importantly, protecting user data by pushing updates like the 'Activity Off Meta' feature.

This significant move may be a step in the right direction for a company that has received much scorn for its lackadaisical approach to privacy rights. Only time will tell if more effective solutions will be implemented in the future.