notre Dame Website Tracks User Data Via Multiple Facebook Pixel Implementations
SOUTH BEND,IN – November 18,2025 – The University of Notre Dame‘s official athletics website,fightingirish.com, is utilizing multiple Facebook Pixel tracking codes, raising questions about data collection practices and user privacy. An analysis of the site’s source code reveals three distinct pixel implementations-associated with Facebook page IDs 206945936914830, 209807436585964, and 1089180724959005-actively tracking page views.
These pixels, embedded within the website’s HTML, transmit user data to Facebook, enabling targeted advertising and analytics. While the university employs standard web tracking for site betterment and marketing, the presence of multiple, independently initialized pixels suggests a potentially fragmented data strategy. One pixel implementation appears conditionally triggered, activating only on pages not within the football news section. The university did not respond to requests for comment regarding the rationale behind this configuration.
The use of Facebook Pixel is common among organizations seeking to measure the effectiveness of their online advertising campaigns and understand user behavior. However, growing privacy concerns and increased scrutiny from regulators have prompted a reevaluation of such practices. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) mandate clarity and user consent regarding data collection. Notre Dame’s website includes a privacy policy, but it does not specifically detail the extent of Facebook Pixel tracking or provide users with granular control over data sharing.
Beyond the standard Facebook Pixel functionality, the site’s code also includes scripts for Google Analytics and a “Clean URL” script, indicating a comprehensive approach to web analytics. The “Clean URL” script is designed to remove tracking parameters from URLs after Google Analytics has processed them, potentially impacting attribution modeling. The Hotjar tracking code is also present, suggesting the university is utilizing session recording and heatmapping tools to analyze user interactions.
The implications of this multi-pixel setup are multifaceted. Data redundancy could lead to inaccurate reporting, while the conditional activation of one pixel raises questions about the specific user segments being targeted. for users concerned about their online privacy, understanding the extent of data collection on websites like fightingirish.com is increasingly important. The university’s continued reliance on these tracking technologies will likely remain a point of discussion as data privacy regulations evolve and consumer awareness grows.
