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).