Belgian police warn against using Facebook reactions

Belgian police are warning Facebook users against using reactions in a bid to protect their privacy.

The police say that the social media site is using these reactions as a means of collecting information and using that to decide how best to advertise to them. “The icons help not only express your feelings, they also help Facebook assess the effectiveness of the ads on your profile,” the Belgian police wrote on its website.

They claim that Facebook can determine when people are in a good mood and when is the best time to advertise to them. “If it appears that you are in a good mood, it can deduce that you are more receptive and able to sell spaces explaining advertisers that they will have more chance to see you react,” they say.