Facebook Container is a Firefox add-on that helps you set boundaries with Facebook. This extension creates a boundary between Facebook sites (including Instagram and Messenger) and the rest of the web to limit where Facebook can track you.

How does Facebook Container work?

The Facebook like and share buttons that appear on shopping, news and other sites contain Facebook trackers. Even if you don’t use them, Facebook uses these buttons to track you. Facebook Container blocks these trackers and will display a fence icon to show you where these trackers were removed.

When you visit Facebook, the extension loads it in another tab and the fence icon appears in your address bar. This puts Facebook in its own boundary with other Facebook-owned sites, including Instagram and Messenger. You can allow other sites into the Facebook Container boundary, but this will allow Facebook to track more of your web browsing.

When you visit a non-Facebook site that has Facebook trackers, Facebook Container will alert you of those trackers and block them.

You can add other websites to Facebook Container if you prefer to have Facebook see your activity on that site.

How do I install Facebook Container?

You'll need Firefox version 57+. To update Firefox, see Update Firefox to the latest release.

1. Install Facebook Container.

   This will log you out of Facebook and delete the cookies it collected while using Firefox.

2. Access Facebook, Messenger or Instagram from your Firefox browser.

   Firefox will automatically switch to the Facebook Container tab for you. If you click on a link to a page outside of Facebook or type in another website in the address bar, Firefox will load them outside of the Facebook Container. If a website has Facebook trackers, Facebook Container will block them and alert you.

What happens when I log in to other sites using my Facebook account?

Facebook login buttons on other sites contain Facebook trackers. You can still log in, but this will allow Facebook to track your activity there. Allowing a site into the Facebook Container boundary allows Facebook to build a fuller picture of your online life.

How does this affect Facebook’s features?

You can still use Facebook as you normally would on facebook.com. Facebook Container removes their trackers on other sites. The following will not work:

• Facebook like, share and comment buttons on other websites. Facebook container removes their trackers and functionality.
• Logging in or creating accounts on other websites using Facebook. To log in using your Facebook account, you’ll need to first allow the site inside the Facebook Container boundary.

Facebook Container isn't working as expected

First, make sure the add-on is installed, enabled and up to date by checking your installed add-ons.

1. Click the menu button , click Add-ons and themesExtensions and themes and select Extensions.
2. Ensure that installation was completed.

   If Facebook Container appears on the list, it was successfully installed and you can move on to the next step.

3. Make sure it is enabled.

   If it is disabled, click Enable to activate it.

4. Update Facebook Container.

See How to update add-ons.

Will this protect me from Facebook completely?

This add-on does not prevent Facebook from mishandling the data it already has or permitted others to obtain about you. Facebook still will have access to everything that you do while you are on facebook.com or on the Facebook app, including your Facebook comments, photo uploads, likes and any data you share with Facebook connected apps. Facebook also has access to what you do on Messenger and Instagram, which Facebook owns.

Other ad networks may try to link your Facebook activities with your regular browsing. In addition to using this add-on, there are other things you can do to maximize your protection, including changing your Facebook settings, using Private Browsing and Tracking Protection, blocking third-party cookies and/or using the Firefox Multi-Account Containers extension to further limit tracking.

How do I use Containers for other websites?

Good news! Containers aren’t just for Facebook. When you install Facebook Container, you might also see other containers. To get the best experience, install Firefox Multi-Account Containers in addition to Facebook Container.

To learn more about how Multi-Account Containers work, see the Multi-Account Containers article.