Facebook has been plagued with privacy and fake news scandals over the past few years but they now intend to study user habits and reward them if they are invited to their program, legally. The Study app tracks how you are using your phone which includes the apps you are accessing and the daily usage patterns as well as location coordinates, device, and carrier information.
The app intends to study user patterns and interests to improve its own products. Behavioral analysis and benchmarking are often conducted by top tech companies in order to improve their own campaigns and marketing pitches. Facebook’s intention is to use the data collected through the Study and provide better services and features for its own collection of apps. It is not confirmed whether the data will be used to improve features of Facebook’s first-party apps like Messenger or they will also include WhatsApp, Instagram, and others.
In regards to what content will not be shared to Facebook, this includes personal user information, messages, and passwords. Only those users who have been invited to participate in the study program will be able to run the app. Facebook will be running targeted campaigns for directing users to participate and share information. Once a user has opted for the program, he will be periodically reminding regarded his intention to study in this program and the user wishes to opt out, he/she can simply do so by uninstalling the app and informing Facebook.
The app is currently available for U.S and Indian users for Android only. Facebook intends to further improve and roll the app out to other countries in the coming months.
Will you be using this Study app if you are invited by Facebook?
Source: FB Newsroom
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