The simple way to stop the apps which are draining your data

Facebook users who were left a little uneasy by the recent data sharing scandal can now follow a simple process to protect themselves after the social media giant launched a bulk app removal tool.

The app helps social media users cut ties with third party ‘vampire apps’ that they may have unknowingly agreed to share data with years ago.

Whether it’s for online shopping or a random international WiFi network you joined while overseas, deleting unwanted vampire apps is a simple method to limit the amount of third parties that can access your personal information.

Facebook, who continue to face mounting pressure in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, has now introduced the bulk removal tool, replacing the previous system where users would have to delete each app one at a time.

To access the feature, go to Settings which can be found in the dropdown menu and select Apps.

This will show all third-party apps that you are currently sharing your information with.

From here, simply tick the box next to the apps that you no longer want to share your information with.

By ticking the box inside the pop-up window, you can also delete all posts, photos and videos on Facebook that the apps and websites may have published on your behalf.

While users may be pleased by the update, the social media giant’s dire situation went from bad to worse on Thursday morning as they revealed political consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica may have had access to the data of 87 million users – up from the original estimation of 50 million.

The world's largest social media company has been hammered by investors and faces anger from users, advertisers and legislators after a series of scandals about fake news stories, election-meddling and privacy.

Last month, Facebook acknowledged that personal information about millions of users wrongly ended up in the hands of Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg will testify about the matter next week before the US House Energy and Commerce Committee, the panel said on Wednesday.