How to download hidden data Facebook has gathered about you

You may be on Facebook everyday, maybe even all day, but you might not realize how much data Facebook accrues about you — or that you can download it for safekeeping or before you delete your account. Here’s how.

1. Not all of the data that Facebook collects on you is visible when you log into your account, including ads you have clicked on and the IP addresses used when you have logged into or out of Facebook. These can be retrieved along with visible information, such as your Timeline information, friends, followers, posts you have shared, messages, photos and more.

2. To download your account data, go to Facebook and click on the downward arrow on the top right of the page and select Settings. Under General Account Settings, click on the download a copy of your Facebook data link. Click on Start My Archive (you’ll need to enter your password).

3. Since it may take some time to archive your data, Facebook sends you an email with a link when it is ready for download. To see all categories of data that Facebook archives, go to nwsdy.li/fbdata

About the Author

Ronnie Gill

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific shareholders OK merger. Here’s what’s next.

The proposed mega-railroad company would be headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, sending anxiety through the company's Atlanta ranks, where Norfolk Southern is based.

Design firm chosen to turn Midtown Atlanta eyesore into high-profile park

The look and feel of a planned public park in Atlanta’s largest high-rise district is soon going to take form.

Atlanta area home prices fell in October with steep declines in some places

Metro Atlanta's median sales prices dropped in October as more inventory is on the market.

The Latest

Credit: Special

Beyond the odometer: What matters most in a used car

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.