Report: Facebook Is Collecting Data on Your Cursor Movements

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By Kurt Wagner2013-10-30 19:44:39 UTC

Facebook may be adding to the list of things it knows about you.

The social network is reportedly experimenting with new technology that tracks and collects data about a user's activity on the site, including cursor movements, according to the Wall Street Journal . The technology is being tested now with a small group of users.

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The data could be used in a number of different ways, from product development to advertising, Facebook analytics chief Ken Rudin told the Journal.

The technology can supposedly determine where a user is hovering his or her cursor on the screen, meaning it could be used to determine the most appropriate places for advertisements. The technology also tracks whether Facebook's mobile users can see their News Feed at any particular time from their smartphone.

Facebook did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.

Facebook will reportedly decide "within months" whether or not to continue this data collection and analysis. It could be relevant for targeted advertising where Facebook has already seen quarter-over-quarter growth in 2013.

Facebook is set to reports the company's quarterly earnings Wednesday afternoon.

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Image: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/GettyImages

Topics: Advertising, cursor, Facebook, Social Media, targeted advertising, user data