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Original poster

To think this is a GDPR violation?

94 replies

GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:18

I signed up to Facebook with really secure privacy settings, and didn't add any friends as I am moving countries and need to look up some local info and the groups and the market place would be useful.

I did not sign up with a mobile number, FB doesn't require one upon signing up.

a while later FB decided 'for my security' that I should give them a phone number and it won't allow me to go to my home page to delete my account without first giving them the number.

It says it won't use it to recommend me to "people I know" but that third party apps might use it that way.

I have a stalker and do not want this to happen.

I don't see why I have to give my data to a company who are renowned for using it inappropriately in order to delete it in order to delete my account. Surely this is a breach of GDPR I have a right to decide what information I give out and to demand my data be removed.

There is no customer service so you can't complain. The yhave a "help" section but that isn't even posting my bloody complaint. Angry

How do they get away with this?

OP posts:
DorisLessingsCat · 07/07/2020 12:20

Facebook is free which means you are the product. Your other choice is to not use it.

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:22

Facebook is free which means you are the product. Your other choice is to not use it.

Well I thought it was my choice but it won't let me delete my account. So I guess it isn't it.

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 07/07/2020 12:23

it won't allow me to go to my home page to delete my account without first giving them the number

This would be the problem, but I am sure you can delete the account without, just not via that method.

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:23

Facebook is free which means you are the product.

Do people really believe that a company should be allowed to ignore all laws around data protection because you got to play Candy Crush for free?

OP posts:
Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:25

This would be the problem, but I am sure you can delete the account without, just not via that method.

Literally I spent all day yesterday trying to find a way to do that and googling but you can't. You'd think you could because that would be sane but there isn't.

OP posts:
DrPatient · 07/07/2020 12:27

Why do you need to delete your account? Just stop using it if you aren't happy to continue? They have to verify with a phone number to prevent trolls setting up to bully and attack people - they have to balance your desire to keep your number a secret from them against the harm done by fake account. This doesn't seem like an unreasonable balance.
Don't give them your number if you don't want to but then you don't get to access the account. It's your choice. You don't get to try and use someone else's service for free and make your own terms of use.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 07/07/2020 12:27

No. You are looking at it the wrong way round.

A company that provides you with a service requires X information. You choose whether or not to engage with it based on its T+Cs

I didn't until I stopped teaching. I did very little until I became self employed, now it has my contact details as I use them on my business page!

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:29

A company that provides you with a service requires X information. You choose whether or not to engage with it based on its T+Cs

No, I'm not looking at it the wrong way. I am choosing to not engage with it because I don't want to give it my phone number. But I do not want it to keep my data which is what will happen if it I do not delete my account. That is a GDPR violation.

OP posts:
ELW85 · 07/07/2020 12:29

It depends on if the processing of that data is fair and proportionate. So if they’ve never had your phone number, why would they need it now to terminate a service?

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:31

^Why do you need to delete your account? Just stop using it if you aren't happy to continue? They have to verify with a phone number to prevent trolls setting up to bully and attack people - they have to balance your desire to keep your number a secret from them against the harm done by fake account. This doesn't seem like an unreasonable balance.
Don't give them your number if you don't want to but then you don't get to access the account. It's your choice. You don't get to try and use someone else's service for free and make your own terms of use.^

I don't want it to keep my data and continue to send me emails and possibly in the future start recommending me to people I know and I will have no idea as FB regularly changes its terms and conditions.

Why is FB not required to follow its legal obligations with regards to data, rather than act like I'm unreasonable for wanting to keep control of my data?

OP posts:
Pelleas · 07/07/2020 12:32

Get a 'burner' phone and use it for anyone who needs a phone number in those sorts of circumstances?

DrPatient · 07/07/2020 12:33

@ELW85 Because it's a free service and they can violate it at any stage for any reason that they choose. It's the same as if you were going around to people's houses washing windows for free and one day you decided not to wash one person's windows - it's because you said so and you can choose to not wash any windows you like.
They'll be doing it to verify that the account is a real person with genuine intentions - as per their terms and conditions that OP agreed to when she made an account - and undoubtedly did not read.

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:34

It depends on if the processing of that data is fair and proportionate. So if they’ve never had your phone number, why would they need it now to terminate a service?

I wasn't going to delete it until FB decided I had to enter a phone number. I logged in with correct details as usual, and then it decided I needed to add a phone number. Which is when I then decided I wanted to delete it but the only way you can do that is by being first allowed to your home page. I can't access anything except for this 'add a phone screen'. I just don't see why they get away with it.

OP posts:
marchez · 07/07/2020 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GazingAndGrazing · 07/07/2020 12:35

Put your number in and the disguise your name, middle name first spelt differently?

DorisLessingsCat · 07/07/2020 12:35

What data have you given Facebook?

ELW85 · 07/07/2020 12:39

@DrPatient - FB have stated clearly though that they will uphold and comply with GDPR. Given their global reach and access to data, it’s not really optional albeit it’s not their domestic data legislation.

@GolfDeltaPapaRomeo - ah I understand. As I’ve said above, they’ve agreed to comply with GDPR, so execute your Right to be Forgotten. There will be a separate process for that out with the profile deletion procedure.

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:39

I've thought about just using different names but I have friends who have done that and FB will then lock the account until you show ID proving who you are. It's a problem for people who take on another name without legally changing it. DV victims/ people who just want privacy.

OP posts:
AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 07/07/2020 12:39

Give them a fake phone number and see whether that works? If it does, you can get in to delete your account.

Or else try posting really obscene things and get banned!

The trouble is that I am not at all sure they delete their records of your data when you delete your account; wasn't there a fuss recently when someone found out that they hadn't?

DameHannahRelf · 07/07/2020 12:40

You could buy a new sim, give that number, delete the account, then put the sim away somewhere safe (in case you ever want to re-activate). You don't need a burner phone just a burner sim?

Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:41

Thank you Elw85 for getting it! Do you know how someone could go about doing that normally, please? Or does it vary on the company. FB doesn't have a customer service department or I'd have gone through them first.

OP posts:
Original poster
GolfDeltaPapaRomeo · 07/07/2020 12:43

Give them a fake phone number and see whether that works? If it does, you can get in to delete your account.

You have to enter the code they text you, unfortunately.

The trouble is that I am not at all sure they delete their records of your data when you delete your account; wasn't there a fuss recently when someone found out that they hadn't?

I wouldn't be surprised!

@DameHannahRelf Thank you I may end up doing that which is a bit of a pain in the arse but just annoyed that we all these regulations to protect consumers and massive companies like FB get away with doing whatever they want.

OP posts:
DameHannahRelf · 07/07/2020 12:44

Don't give a fake number, as they'll often text a verification code to the number, that you must provide to continue.

You can reactivate your account, so you might want to delete anything you want off it for good, first, then it's "gone gone" iyswim?

DrPatient · 07/07/2020 12:45

@ELW85 They aren't breaching GDPR though. Just because OP thinks they are does not mean that they are. They aren't.

growinggreyer · 07/07/2020 12:48

OP, you are panicking. Have a cup of tea and then take the advice to get a SIM card for your phone. You can pick one up at the supermarket or in the pound shop. Remind yourself that you are safe and that you have options.