Online tracking tool used by Norfolk and Suffolk Police removed after concerns raised

The Met Police say they're removing an "online tracking tool" from most of its webpages, which is reportedly also being used by Norfolk Police and Suffolk Police.

It's after claims data about people reporting sexual offences, domestic abuse and other crimes had been passed on to Facebook.

The Observer reports information was sent to the social media giant through an embedded tool called Meta Pixel.

A force spokesman said: "Pixels have been implemented on our website homepage and career webpages to enable relevant recruitment advertising to be served to people who have indicated an interest in a career at the Met.

"At no point is the personal data inputted by an individual reporting crime ever shared with third parties.

"A Meta Pixel was placed on the Met Website in June 2023 relating to a recruitment marketing campaign and we are taking steps to remove Pixels from any non-recruitment specific pages to avoid unnecessary concern."

"The MPS website is part of the Single Online Home which uses industry standard techniques to understand the user journey through our website which enables us to understand where our users find navigation difficult and improve our service to the public.

"The technology used to do this does not under any circumstances disclose the content of information entered nor does it disclose the personal details of the individual using the service.

"For the avoidance of doubt an IP (internet protocol) address does not identify an individual by name or specific geographic address and IP addresses are typically not static.

"The analytical data captured is reserved to the website operator (the police), at no stage enters the public domain and no commercial organisation, including the providers of the analytic and advertising services, are able to utilise the same.

"The MPS has used additional services to serve more specific advertisement data to individuals who may, for example, be interested in applying to join the police.

"Again this data neither identifies the individual by name nor does it share any information that they have provided via any online form with a third party.

"It is important that the public have confidence in our services so we are reviewing the use of analytics and advertising features."

Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies as well as Meta, which operates Facebook, have been approached for comment.

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