After vicious attack, Facebook suggested adding her assailant as a 'friend.' She used ChatGPT to track him down instead - CWB Chicago

Most of us assume social media only connects us with people we actually know, but recommendation engines often work behind the scenes in ways that feel intrusive. Platforms frequently use phone location data, synced address books, and digital breadcrumbs to suggest new contacts. When those automated systems cross paths with real-world incidents, the results can be deeply unsettling for everyday users who simply want to feel safe online.

You can take immediate steps on your phone to keep these algorithms at bay. Open your social media settings and turn off continuous contact syncing so the app cannot read your address book. Next, check your mobile device settings and turn off precise location permissions for social apps that do not truly need them to function. You should also restrict your profile discovery settings so strangers cannot find your account using your personal phone number or email address.

Smart tools can occasionally help solve problems, but tightening your everyday privacy permissions ensures that online platforms do not expose your private life to people you want to avoid.