Facebook users urged to check settings for 'hidden danger' of forgotten apps

23 February 2023 , 16:03

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Millions of people may still be connected to apps they don't use, which are able to access our data (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Millions of Facebook users are being urged to check which apps they may have downloaded over the years - as they may be still able to access your data.

You may be still handing over information to third parties without even knowing it, security experts claimed, and Facebook users are being warned to double-check their settings.

Anyone who has logged into apps and games over the years through their Facebook account may be unwittingly allowing them access to your browsing data, as well as personal information from your account.

Many of us have changed how much information we choose to give away about ourselves over the years, but sometimes remnants are left that you've forgotten about.

Facebook users are being urged to check their settings (AFP via Getty Images)

Handing over too much information could pose a risk to your security, so it's important to check what's still connected to your account.

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All you'd need to do is log into your Facebook account and check your settings.

Any apps or games showing up that you don't use, you might want to consider deleting entirely to reduce the risk of your privacy being breached.

How do I get rid of old apps?

Head to your settings, and select "privacy". Then head to "Apps and Websites" on the left of your screen.

Then click "view" and "edit.

Apps that have been connected to your Facebook account over the years will show up as one of three main states - either active, expired or removed.

Active means you have used it in the past 90 days, whereas "expired" is any app still connected but not used in the past 90 days.

If you open any of these "expired" apps, it will once again switch to "active".

So, for example, if you once played a game through Facebook but haven't touched it in years, the app for that game will still show up as "expired".

The app could still access any data provided it's available publicly from your page.

However, Facebook warned: "It may still have non-public information that you previously shared with it while it was active."

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If you removed the app, it will no longer have access to any data that's not publicly visible to the world on your page.

You can renew access to any app whenever, as well as remove them at any time too.

Susie Beever