Facebook Container - Prevent Facebook from tracking you on other websites

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 207757
  • Created:
  • Creator: James
  • Comment: Removed redundant verbiage and made minor grammatical and format edits.
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: No
Revision Source
Revision Content

Facebook Container is a Firefox extension that creates a boundary between Facebook sites (including Instagram and Messenger) and the rest of the web to limit where Facebook can track you.

To learn more about Containers, see Firefox Multi-Account Containers.

How does Facebook Container work?

The Facebook "Like" and "Share" buttons that appear on shopping, news, and other sites contain Facebook trackers. Facebook uses these buttons to track you regardless of if you actually use them or not. Facebook Container blocks these trackers.

When you visit Facebook, the add-on loads it in another tab and displays a fence icon in your address bar. Facebook Container SS1 This virtual fence ensures Facebook only tracks you within itself and other Facebook-owned sites, such as Instagram and Messenger.

When you visit a non-Facebook site that has Facebook trackers, Facebook Container will alert you and automatically block these trackers.

If you prefer to allow Facebook tracking on a specific site (so that you can use Facebook features on that site), click the Facebook Container fence icon in Firefox's toolbar, then select the "Allow Site in Facebook Container" option. Exercise caution, as doing so will allow Facebook to track more of your web activity.

How do I install Facebook Container?

  1. Visit this Facebook Container add-on page.
  2. Click the + Add to Firefox button.
  3. Click Add in the permission request drop-down to install the add-on. This will log you out of Facebook and delete its cookies from Firefox.

The next time you access Facebook, Messenger or Instagram using Firefox, you will see a fence icon appear in your address bar.

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 address in the address bar, Firefox will load them outside of the Facebook Container. If a website has Facebook trackers, Facebook Container will automatically block them and alert you.

If you're unable to install Facebook Container, see I can't install Facebook Container on Firefox 57+.

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 login by allowing the site in Facebook Container (as detailed above), but doing so will allow Facebook to track your activity there. Each site you allow into the Facebook Container allows Facebook to build a more complete snapshot of your online activity.

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. These buttons utilize built-in trackers. Facebook Container removes these trackers, which breaks the buttons' functionality as a side effect.
  • Logging in or creating accounts on other websites using Facebook. To login using your Facebook account, you must allow the site in Facebook Container (as detailed above).

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 Fx89menuButton, 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 Facebook Container is enabled. If it is disabled, click the ellipsis (3-dot) icon and select Enable. click the toggle. The toogle turns blue when enabled.
  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 any personal data it has already obtained or permitted others to obtain. Facebook will still have access to all your activity on facebook.com and the Facebook app, as well as any Facebook-owned applications, such as Instagram and Messenger. This activity includes your comments, photo uploads, likes, and any data you share with Facebook-connected apps.

Other ad networks may try to link your Facebook activity 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 may 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 Multi-Account Containers.

Mozilla created and supports Facebook Container and Firefox Multi-Account Containers. Other container extensions are not maintained by Mozilla. If you experience issues with these other extensions, please contact the developer directly.