“`html

Facebook Pixel Tracking Code Discovered on Multiple U.S.Government Websites

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Facebook tracking pixel, designed to collect user data for advertising purposes, has been identified on numerous websites belonging to U.S. federal government agencies, raising privacy concerns adn prompting investigations. The finding, initially reported by the Brennan Center for justice on January 25, 2024, affects sites including those of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as the White House’s official website.

Breaking Details: Scope of the Issue

The Facebook pixel, a small snippet of JavaScript code, was found embedded within pages of these government websites. Its function is to track visitor activity – including pages viewed, links clicked, and forms submitted – and transmit this information to Facebook. The Brennan Center’s analysis, conducted between January 2023 and January 2024, revealed the pixel was present on at least 22 federal agency websites. Specifically, the pixel was detected on the official Army recruitment website (https://www.goarmy.com/), the Air Force recruitment site (https://www.airforce.com/), and the Marine Corps recruitment page (https://www.marines.com/). The White house website (https://www.whitehouse.gov/) also contained the tracking code.

What is a Facebook Pixel and Why is it Concerning?

A Facebook pixel is a tool used by marketers to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and to build targeted audiences. When a user visits a website with a Facebook pixel installed, the pixel can collect data about their browsing behavior. This data is then used to create custom audiences for Facebook and Instagram ads, allowing advertisers to target specific demographics and interests. According to facebook’s own documentation, the pixel can collect information such as browser information, IP address, and pages visited. Facebook Business Help Center

The presence of this pixel on government websites is problematic for several reasons. First, it raises privacy concerns, as it allows a private company to collect data on individuals visiting official government resources. Second, it perhaps violates federal privacy laws, such as the Privacy Act of 1974, which governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by federal agencies. third, it creates a security risk, as the data collected by the pixel could be vulnerable to unauthorized access or misuse.

How Did the Pixel End Up on Government websites?

The most likely explanation is that the pixel was added to these websites by third-party vendors contracted by the government agencies. These vendors often use Facebook pixels to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns, such as recruitment efforts. For example,the Army,Air Force,and Marine corps frequently utilize advertising on social media platforms to attract potential recruits.the pixel allows these vendors to measure the return on investment of these campaigns.

Tho, government officials were reportedly unaware of the pixel’s presence. following the brennan Center’s report, the Department of