Facebook is at the centre of a new privacy debate after a blogger accused the site of continuing to collect information after users log out. Australian Nik Cubrilovic revealed how Facebook keeps cookies running even when users leave the social networking site. Cookies allow people to be tracked as they surf the internet and can potentially be used to build up a profile to market to advertisers.
Mr Cubrilovic, a security consultant, posted a lengthy blog detailing how the social networking site keeps the cookies running. He said: "Logging out of Facebook only de-authorises your browser from the web application.
"A number of cookies (including your account number) are still sent along to all requests to facebook.com.
"Even if you are logged out, Facebook still knows and can track every page you visit. "The only solution is to delete every Facebook cookie in your browser or to use a separate browser for Facebook interactions."
Australian Nik Cubrilovic revealed how Facebook keeps cookies running even when users leave the social networking site. Cookies allow people to be tracked as they surf the internet and can potentially be used to build up a profile to market to advertisers.
Mr Cubrilovic, a security consultant, posted a lengthy blog detailing how the social networking site keeps the cookies running. He said: "Logging out of Facebook only de-authorises your browser from the web application. "A number of cookies (including your account number) are still sent along to all requests to facebook. "Even if you are logged out, Facebook still knows and can track every page you visit. "The only solution is to delete every Facebook cookie in your browser or to use a separate browser for Facebook interactions."