Who hasn’t been tempted by the easy “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Facebook” buttons? It’s a quick way to join countless websites. But is convenience worth the risks? Many tech experts are wary of using Google or Facebook to log in to websites. I, myself, prefer to keep my online identity separate from my Google and Facebook profiles.
Content
- What Happens When You Sign in With Google or Facebook?
- 1. Sign-in Dependency
- 2. Data Sharing
- 3. Single Point of Failure During Data Breach
- 4. Data Tracking and Profiling
- 5. Less Control Over Online Profiles
What Happens When You Sign in With Google or Facebook?
When you use a Google or Facebook account to sign in to various platforms, you leverage a Single Sign-On (SSO) feature. This allows you to use a single login service for multiple accounts, eliminating the need to create and remember separate usernames and passwords for each platform. By clicking the “Continue with Google” or “Continue with Facebook” buttons, you’re granting these platforms permission to verify your identity and share specific information with the website or app you’re trying to access.
When you create an account on a third-party platform using SSO instead of a traditional username and password, Google/Facebook generates a special token. This token acts as a digital key, granting you access to the service without re-entering your login details. As long as you’re signed in to your Google/Facebook account, you can seamlessly access any connected services using this token.
While Single Sign-On (SSO) offers the convenience of logging in to multiple platforms with a single set of credentials, it also presents potential drawbacks:
1. Sign-in Dependency
In December 2020, Google experienced a major global outage, preventing users from logging in to Google services. As a blogger covering tech news, I attempted to create visuals for my article about the outage using Canva but found myself unable to connect to my Canva account, as I had linked it using Google Login.
Image source:
Pexels
This incident worked as a catalyst for my decision to discontinue using Google or Facebook sign-in services. Global outages are not uncommon for tech giants like Google and Facebook, and these disruptions could impact you.
2. Data Sharing
When you use “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Facebook” to access online services, you’re essentially granting these platforms permission to access and share your personal data with the services you’re using. This shared data can include a wide range of information, including your name, email address, photos, and friends list – and sometimes without your knowledge.
Image source:
Pixabay
For example, a travel platform connected to Facebook could access your friends list to look for reviews and experiences. Similarly, an e-commerce platform or ride-sharing service linked to Google may access your Google Wallet data to streamline payment processes.
Companies can face risks when employees use their official Google or Facebook accounts to leverage Single Sign-On services to create new accounts on various platforms. This practice can lead to the unintentional sharing of sensitive company data, such as calendars, task lists, and contacts.
3. Single Point of Failure During Data Breach
When you use “Sign in with Google” or “Sign In with Facebook” to access third-party platforms, your security relies heavily on the security of your Google or Facebook accounts, which is beyond your control. If your Google or Facebook account is compromised, attackers could potentially gain access to other services linked to your account.
Image source:
Pexels
Using one of these sign-in services is as risky as using the same credentials for multiple platforms – it is like putting all your eggs in one basket. If your Google or Facebook account is breached, you risk losing access to all connected services.
Social media accounts are frequent targets for hackers. Many people have seen posts from friends warning about hacked accounts and strange messages. If your Facebook or Google account is compromised, hackers often check the connected apps section of your settings. They know they can access these linked accounts as well.
To enhance your online security, it’s advisable to avoid using Single Sign-On (SSO) services. Instead, prioritize creating strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts.
Tip: stay worry-free about password safety with this detailed guide on protecting your passwords.
4. Data Tracking and Profiling
Google and Facebook may collect your data from third-party websites and apps that you access using their sign-in services. They use complex tracking technologies to gather information about your online behavior. These tracking mechanisms may collect information about your interactions with these platforms, such as the pages you visit, the content you view, and the actions you take.
Image source:
Pixabay
Based on the collected data, Google and Facebook may create detailed profiles about your interests, preferences, and demographics. These profiles may include information about your age, gender, location, hobbies, and purchasing habits.
They can share this profile data with third-party companies for advertising purposes. Advertisers can use this information to target you with ads that are relevant to your interests, increasing the likelihood of you clicking on or purchasing their products or services.
5. Less Control Over Online Profiles
When you use “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Facebook” to create an account on a third-party platform, your profile information is often automatically fetched from your Google or Facebook account. This can limit your ability to customize your profile on the platform.
Image source:
Unsplash
Your profile information can be automatically synced with your Google or Facebook account, leaving you with limited control over your username, profile photo, and other personal information on the platform you’re accessing.
This can be frustrating for users who want to personalize their online identity on every platform. If you want more customization, consider creating an account using a traditional password instead.
Are you tired of Google’s constant sign-in prompts? You can effortlessly disable the Sign in With Google prompt on websites. If you are looking for a strong password manager, discover why KeePass is a top choice for protecting your digital life.
Image by Yash Patel.
Yash has over six years of experience working in the tech industry. After working for over 3 years as a Software Engineer, he shifted his focus to empowering readers through informative and engaging content on his tech blog – DiGiTAL BiRYANi. He loves to explore new tech gadgets and platforms. When he is not writing, you’ll find him exploring food. He is known as Digital Chef Yash among his readers because of his love for Technology and Food.
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