There has been a lot of conjecture lately about what Facebook does and doesn't allow regarding your pictures and advertisements. Here is the fact- if you have a profile picture, Facebook may use it to generate ads for friends of yours for 3rd party advertisements. There are a few details and specifics as to how that can/will happen, but you should know that it certainly can and does happen.
The core part of how that happens is your social interaction with various entities on Facebook. The more you "like" things on Facebook, the more likely you're name and image may be used in Facebook ads to your friends.
However, you can stop all of that simply by adjusting your Facebook settings. Like each of its other personal data intrusions, Facebook has eventually provided ways to close off their extraneous use of your personal information and image. In this case, here is the method for saying "no" to Facebook using your picture in their ads.
STEP 1- Once you are logged on to Facebook, locate the top right side of Facebook and click on the drop down (unside-down triangle) next to the word "Home". A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Account Settings" option.
STEP 2- On the "Account Settings" page, you will notice several tabs. You will initially be on the General Account Settings tab. Change this by selecting the "Facebook Ads" tab at left margin on the bottom of the list of tabs.
STEP 3- On the Facebook Ads page, the bottom half of the screen has a section called "Ads and friends". Select the link that says "Edit social ads settings".
STEP 4- On the "Ads and friends" page you can read how, why and when they may use your like and profile pictures in third party ads. At the bottom, use the dropdown menu near the label "Pair my social actions with ads for ". Change the drop down to "No one".
STEP 5- Click "Save Changes" at the bottom.
There you go! You have now updated your profile so Facebook won't decide to use your picture to sell your friends stuff. Well done you!
keeping the social network honest along with you,
Kim Gentes