Facebook admits phone numbers may be used to target adsSAN FRANCISCO, United States — Facebook on Thursday confirmed that advertisers were privy to phone numbers given by members of the social network for enhanced security. A study by two US universities, first reported by news website Gizmodo, found that phone numbers given to Facebook for two-factor authentication were also used to target advertising. Phone numbers added to profiles, for security purposes, or for messaging were potential fodder for advertisers, according to the study. Contact lists uploaded to Facebook platforms could be mined for personal information, meaning that people could unintentionally help advertisers target their friends. Facebook is grappling with the worst crisis in its history, vilified for not more zealously guarding the information that users share.

Source: Philippine Star September 28, 2018 01:41 UTC