• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TechEngage®

Connecting mankind with technology

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cryptocurrency
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Tools
TechEngage » News » Social Networks

Facebook is tricking users into receiving ads on 2-factor authentication phone numbers

Fazeel Ashraf Follow Fazeel Ashraf on Twitter September 28, 2018

Facebook 2-factor authentication
Facebook has admitted that the phone number users provide for 2-factor authentication, will receive ads. This has caused outrage among many of the users.
FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

Facebook has admitted that the phone number users provide for 2-factor authentication, will receive ads. 2-factor authentication is a security measure that uses a second preventive method to protect the users’ accounts.
Two University professors from the US were able to prove that Facebook gathers information the users did not provide for the purpose of receiving ads, did indeed receive ads.
It’s been quite shocking, yet not a least bit surprising that Facebook has stooped down to such measures to squeeze every cent from its user base.

Such slimy tactics have been used by Facebook for years. The company has harvested users’ details who explicitly did not give them out. One of these tactics is the Facebook phone app asking for permission to access users’ contact books.

This way Facebook has access to friends and family’s numbers, without them knowing. Facebook feels that users providing their phone numbers for 2-factor authentication is not a big deal.
They are shamelessly targeting these phone numbers and sending them ads. Users did get a sense of Facebook’s shady tactics a few months ago. Users complained that they were getting bombarded with notifications on the phone number they had provided for 2-factor authentication.
Facebook was quick to quash all these claims, by saying it was a bug and not something intentional.
Facebook’s then Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos responded in a blog post, “The last thing we want is for people to avoid helpful security features because they fear they will receive unrelated notifications.”
So maybe he forgot this little detail, or just straight up lied about the Silicon Valley giant’s aggressive ad targeting. Techcrunch wanted to confirm whether users’ were being sent ads on their two-way factor authentication phone number, because it seems too low, even for Facebook.
A spokesperson did reply back to Techcrunch with this statement, “We use the information people provide to offer a better, more personalized experience on Facebook, including ads.”
He further added, “We are clear about how we use the information we collect, including the contact information that people upload or add to their own accounts. You can manage and delete the contact information you’ve uploaded at any time.”

Also Read: Instagram founders have left the company due to disputes with Facebook

A spokesperson also said that users could use other 2-factor authentication methods. There is one other authentication technique, which doesn’t require users’ phone numbers. Users can get login codes from a third party authentication app.
It is yet to be determined if this third party authentication will be any better. But this option was added only back in the month of May.

Facebook has faced a lot of backlash from consumers and US policy makers, and rightly so. The company has been very secretive about the way it handles users’ data. Zuckerburg was asked a really tough question back in April but his company managed to avoid any serious repercussions.

This time the public won’t be so kind, especially after hearing that Facebook is secretly planning to inject ads into Whatsapp too. When that day comes, it will be a dark day indeed.

Filed Under: Social Networks Tagged With: Facebook, Facebook ads

Related Stories

  • Snapchat introduces Spotlight to give a head-on to TikTok

    Snapchat introduces Spotlight to give a head-on to TikTok

  • Facebook becomes fifth U.S tech giant to cross $1 trillion valuation

    Facebook becomes fifth U.S tech giant to cross $1 trillion valuation

  • WhatsApp now allows you to control who adds you to groups

    WhatsApp now allows you to control who adds you to groups

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

About Fazeel Ashraf

IT graduate from the National University of Science and Technology with a passion for writing. When not reading or writing, I can be found listening to rock and metal or playing some classic jams on my electric guitar. I’m also a big fan of horror movies.

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or published anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more visit the contributors page.
TextSheet Alternative

6 Top Alternatives to Textsheet for 2025

Muhammad Zeshan Sarwar October 5, 2024

battery draining apps

Top 10 battery draining apps to avoid 2025

Muhammad Abdullah October 5, 2024

Recent Stories

  • 6 Top Alternatives to Textsheet for 2025
  • Top 10 battery draining apps to avoid 2025
  • The Benefits of Having a Small Air Compressor for Flat Tires
  • 4 Best Free VPNs for 2025
  • 9 Best Calendar Apps in 2025

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon

Download our apps

TechEngage app coming soon on App Store

© 2024 TechEngage®. All Rights Reserved. TechEngage® is a project of TechAbout LLC.

TechEngage® is a registered trademark in the United States under Trademark Number 6823709 and in the United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167. It is also ISSN protected under ISSN 2690-3776 and has OCLC Number 1139335774.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy