We all love using Facebook to stay connected, but in 2026, the app has become a data-hungry machine. With the new Meta AI integration, Facebook is collecting more data than ever before to train its algorithms and personalized models.

Did you know that Facebook tracks your purchases on other sites and even knows which news articles you read outside the app? At Mobile Sathi, we’ve created this guide to help you take back control of your privacy and save your phone's battery.

5 Hidden Facebook Settings You Must Turn Off Immediately in 2026

1. Off-Facebook Activity (The 'Spy' Setting)

This is perhaps the most invasive setting. Facebook tracks what you do outside of its app—on shopping sites, banking apps, and news portals—to show you targeted ads.

• Why turn it off: It stops Meta from linking your external browsing history to your social profile.
• How to fix: Go to Settings > Your Information > Off-Facebook Activity > Disconnect Future Activity.

2. AI Voice Data Collection

In the latest 2026 update, Meta introduced "Voice Samples" to improve its AI's conversational abilities. Do you really want your voice snippets stored on their servers?

• Action: Navigate to Settings > Audience and Visibility > Media > Voice Data Collection and toggle it OFF.

[Image of Facebook AI Voice Data Collection settings toggle]

3. Location History (Background Tracking)

Does Facebook need to know where you are 24/7? Background location tracking is a major battery drainer and a huge privacy risk.

• Action: Go to your phone's App Settings > Facebook > Permissions and set Location to "While Using App Only" or "Never".

4. Facial Recognition for AI Tagging

The new 2026 algorithm uses advanced AI to scan every photo and video you appear in to suggest tags and train its recognition models.

• How to fix: Go to Settings > Profile and Tagging > Face Recognition and select "No".

5. Personalized Ads (Data from Partners)

Ever talked about "Shoes" and seen an ad for them 5 minutes later? You can't stop ads, but you can stop the creepiness.

• Action: Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Preferences. Turn off "Data from partners," which stops Facebook from using your activity on other apps to target you.

Mobile Sathi Verdict: "Privacy in 2026 is a luxury, but these settings give you control back." The most critical setting is Off-Facebook Activity. It is invasive and unnecessary. Turning it off stops the feeling that your phone is '