How do I disable TurboTax's Pixels spyware?

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
November 24, 2022
4 replies
43 views

TurboTax has admitted to sending user generated data to Meta using Pixels. Any thoughts on how to make it stop, short of uninstalling and not using the software? (Uninstall already completed. I'm hoping I didn't waste seventy bucks, but I honestly don't see a way for them to recover from this.)

TurboTax Deluxe Online

DoninGA

Level 15

As stated in the article -

Rick Heineman, a spokesperson for Intuit, said the company’s pixel “does not track, gather, or share information that users enter in TurboTax while filing their taxes,” although Intuit “may share some non-tax-return information, such as username, with marketing partners to deliver a better customer experience,” like not showing Intuit ads on Facebook to people who have accounts already. The company said it’s in compliance with regulations but has modified the pixel to no longer send usernames.

s_bumgardnerAuthor

Level 2

Yes. That's what it said.

That is an admission of a total violation of trust followed by shallow excuses. The obvious implication is that even though they have been caught, they are unashamed and intend to continue. This is completely unacceptable.

TurboTax = admitted spyware = deal breaker.

I'd be happy to be wrong, but it appears I am not.

DoninGA

Level 15

Don't see how the Intuit spokesman's statement could be interpreted to be an admission of a violation of trust.

However, if this is a concern then do not use the software.

If you purchased the TurboTax software you can get a refund.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the Satisfaction Guarantee - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/turbotax-satisfaction-guaranteed-refund-policy/L7kHGYVl8_US_en_US?uid=lav82qfk

If you do not want to use any type of software to assist in completing a tax return, the IRS has a free file program available if your AGI is $73,000 or less.

Go to this IRS website for the free file program - https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

But note that the IRS has had bad actors who have illegally disseminated taxpayer information in the past. And the IRS has targeted certain groups of taxpayers in the past for political purposes.