In a concerning revelation, it has been reported that data concerning individuals reporting sexual offences, domestic abuse, and other crimes on the Metropolitan Police’s website was passed on to Facebook. The information included details about the type of offence being reported, as well as users’ Facebook profile codes. This transfer of data occurred through an embedded tracking tool called Meta Pixel, which was utilized on the police force’s website.
According to The Observer’s report, this data was transmitted despite the online form for victims and witnesses to report offences being deemed “secure.” The Meta Pixel tool not only shared information about the content viewed but also recorded buttons clicked on webpages related to contacting the police, accessing victim services, and seeking advice on crimes such as rape, assault, stalking, and fraud.
Dame Vera Baird, the former victims’ commissioner, expressed concern over the situation, stating, “You think you are dealing with a public authority you can trust and in fact, you are dealing with Facebook and the wild world of advertising.”
The analysis conducted by The Observer also revealed that Norfolk and Suffolk police forces had also shared data about individuals accessing sensitive web pages.
In response, the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the use of Meta Pixel for recruitment campaigns but stated that it would be removing the tool from all other pages. A spokesperson for the force clarified, “At no point is the personal data inputted by an individual reporting crime ever shared with third parties.
Regarding the issue, the Met Police further explained, “The analytical data captured is reserved to the website operator (the police), at no stage enters the public domain, and no commercial organization, including the providers of the analytic and advertising services, are able to utilize the same.
Meta, the operator of Facebook, emphasized its policies that prohibit advertisers from sending sensitive information through their Business Tools. They stated, “Doing so is against our policies, and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business Tools to prevent this from occurring.”
The Observer previously uncovered that 20 NHS trusts had shared patients’ private information with Facebook through the use of Meta Pixels. Following the investigation, 17 of those trusts confirmed they would cease using the tool.
The Metropolitan Police, Norfolk Constabulary, and Suffolk Constabulary have been approached for comment on the matter.
This incident raises concerns about the handling of sensitive data by public authorities and highlights the importance of safeguarding individuals’ privacy and trust in online platforms.
