The Markup

#NewReporting: Major tax filing companies—including TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and H&R Block—have been sending users' information to Facebook as they file their taxes online.

The penalties for disclosing data without consent could be steep.

#Data #Privacy #Facebook #Meta https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2022/11/22/tax-filing-websites-have-been-sending-users-financial-information-to-facebook

Tax Filing Websites Have Been Sending Users’ Financial Information to Facebook – The Markup

The Markup found services including TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and H&R Block sending sensitive data

Nov 22, 2022 at 1:17pmWeb
Show threadRumblestiltskinNov 22, 2022
@themarkup
Revealing reported incomes and returns is a serious breach of privacy. That information is sometimes used as security questions.
Show thread6x6pix🚶‍♀️🎞️ 📷Nov 22, 2022
@themarkup Infuriating.
Show threadydna 🍻Nov 22, 2022
@themarkup -- we need a flat tax based on income - no more deductions for anyone. Simplify the tax system.
Show threadEmily Croy BarkerNov 22, 2022
@themarkup Really disturbing to hear about this breach of privacy by major tax preparation companies. Do I have to go back to doing my taxes myself on paper forms to protect my financial information?
Show threadThe MarkupNov 22, 2022

@emilycroybarker @emilycroybarker When we took our findings to these companies, some turned off the tracking of sensitive information. But we can't say what things will look like by the next tax season.

Another option is to use a privacy extension, which we found prevent data from going to Facebook. We suggest uBlock Origin (https://ublockorigin.com/) or @eff's Privacy Badger (https://privacybadger.org/) to get around the tracking.

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