How to Know if Your Facebook Data Was Leaked to Cambridge Analytica

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

The numbers in the Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal just keep climbing, from an original 55 million to a new estimate of nearly 87 million account holders who have had their data breached. This is because the quiz, "This Is Your Digital Life," collected data not only from Facebook users who completed it, but from all their Facebook friends as well. Facebook has barred the personality quiz from the platform and sent a message to all account holders who took the quiz, but if you'd like to make sure your data wasn't also breached, there's a way to find out. Let's check and see if our Facebook accounts have been compromised by Cambridge Analytica; it's easy to do right from your iPhone. 

Related: How to Delete Privacy-Invading Facebook Apps on iPhone 

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This tip is written for those logging in through the Facebook app, not Facebook.com. To find out if your Facebook account information was shared with Cambridge Analytica:

  • Open the Facebook app and tap on the three bars at the lower right of your display.
  • Now scroll down and tap on Help & Support.
facebook privacy
facebook data privacy
  • Tap on Help Center.
  • Now type Cambridge into the Search bar.
find my facebook account
was my facebook data shared to cambridge
  • Tap on the top result, "How can I tell if my information was shared with Cambridge Analytica?"
cambridge analytica facebook

This message will pop up on your iPhone's screen. 

how to tell if my facebook account was breached

Scroll down to check whether or not your data has been shared with Cambridge Analytica.

how to tell if facebook shared my data

It's reasonable to assume that even if your account wasn't breached by this particular quiz, your data has been or is currently being mined by other Facebook apps and games. I highly recommend following this tip to see how many apps you've allowed to access your Facebook account, and deleting all but the ones you really need.

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Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.