Here's how to check which 3rd-party apps are connected to your Facebook account

Back in 2017, we covered a story where hackers had used Facebook quizzes to steal user data. And now, here we are in 2018 with the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where over 50 million users had their information pulled thanks to a personality app. With that in mind, we think it’s a smart time to check which 3rd-party apps are connected to your Facebook account, and delete them (if you so choose).

Just head over to Facebook on your laptop or desktop, then hit Settings > Apps.

From there, you’ll be able to see every single app that’s connected to your account (see mine, above). Funny story: I was all “I rarely connect apps to my Facebook account” because in my mind, I rarely do. I tend to pick the “create an account with a login” option because I have always been skeptical of the Facebook integration. Well surprise, I was connected to about 50 or so apps, some of which I had no clue I was connected to. So yeah, check your apps.

I’d suggest clicking on each app, and either editing your preferences (click the “pencil”) or deleting it, keeping in mind that you won’t delete any data that’s already been collected and/or stored by the app. You’ll be able to see what the app has access to, how they’re using that info, as well customize what you want them to have access to. And you can learn how to contact the app to get them to remove the info they’ve collected.

If it sounds like you’ll need some time to do this, you’re not that far off. I decided to just delete the apps I didn’t need to be connected with, and then edit the settings on the ones that I still want. And I’m actually not done yet.

There are many lessons to learn here, and I think most importantly, ones we need to talk to our children about. If we’re pretty much blindly accepting app connections, or taking fun personality quizzes, just imagine what our kids might unknowingly do. So, as you’re taking the time to edit through your apps and privacy settings, have your kids sit with you and show them what you’re doing. It’s more important than ever for them to understand this process, and the possible consequences for not making wise, thoughtful choices.

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