No, Google does not save Facebook passwords. Google and Facebook are separate companies with separate login systems. When you login to Facebook, you provide your Facebook username and password which is then authenticated by Facebook’s servers. Your login credentials are not shared with or stored by Google.
How Facebook Logins Work
When you go to facebook.com and enter your username and password, that information is sent securely to Facebook’s servers for verification. If the username and password match what Facebook has stored for your account, you will be logged in.
Facebook uses secure encryption and other security measures to protect your login information during this process. Your plaintext password is not sent over the internet. Instead, a hashed and salted version of your password is sent which helps protect it even in the event of a security breach.
At no point is your Facebook password transmitted to or stored by Google’s servers. The entire login process happens directly between your device and Facebook’s systems.
Facebook’s Login System
Facebook utilizes its own proprietary login system to handle user authentication. This includes databases to store hashed password representations as well as the servers and software needed to perform verification.
When you first create a Facebook account, your chosen password is hashed on Facebook’s servers before being stored in their user database. Each time you subsequent login, the password you enter is hashed in the same way and compared to the stored hash. If they match, you are granted access.
This all occurs within Facebook’s own controlled infrastructure. Google has no access to Facebook’s user databases or systems.
Encryption Protects Passwords
In addition to hashing passwords before storing them, Facebook also uses secure HTTPS encryption to protect your login credentials and data as its transmitted over the internet. This prevents your plaintext password from ever being revealed during the login process.
HTTPS encryption works by establishing an encrypted link between your device and Facebook’s servers. Your password is encrypted before being sent and only Facebook can decrypt it. This prevents any third-parties, including Google, from accessing your credentials.
Google Login System is Separate
Google uses its own proprietary systems and processes for managing user logins that are completely separate from Facebook.
When you login to Google services like Gmail, your username and password are transmitted securely to Google’s servers where they are verified against Google’s own user databases before granting access.
Google Account Management
Google Accounts are managed through Google’s account management interfaces and databases. This includes features like password recovery and changing passwords. Facebook has no access to these systems.
If you change your Google Account password, this update only applies to Google’s stored credentials for you. It does not impact any passwords Facebook may have stored. This separation highlights how Google and Facebook operate independently when it comes to user login information.
No Password Sharing Between Companies
At no point does Google transmit or share your stored Google Account passwords with Facebook or vice versa. The technical and security systems that manage user logins for these companies are entirely siloed from one another.
So rest assured that your Facebook login remains secured by Facebook’s systems alone, while your Google login relies solely on Google’s authentication mechanisms. Your passwords are not shared across these separate services.
Third-Party Password Managers
There are some cases where your Facebook and Google passwords could potentially be accessible by third-parties outside of those companies. This occurs mainly when using external password management tools.
Browser Password Managers
Many popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox offer built-in password manager features that can save and auto-fill your passwords for various sites and services, including Facebook and Google.
When enabled, these browser password managers will locally store your plaintext passwords which could allow anyone with access to the browser to see or use them. So passwords saved in your browser are accessible to anyone using that device.
However, the passwords are not automatically transmitted to or synced with Google, Facebook or any other external service unless you specifically configure that. So while browser password managers carry some risk, your passwords still remain isolated from companies like Google and Facebook.
Third-Party Password Managers
There are also many dedicated third-party password manager apps and services like LastPass, 1Password and Dashlane. These typically offer more robust features and security for storing passwords compared to built-in browser options.
Some password managers give you the choice to sync passwords across devices. This is accomplished by transmitting encrypted versions of your passwords to the company’s cloud servers. This could potentially allow the company itself access to your plaintext passwords.
However, reputable password managers use zero-knowledge encryption where even the company cannot access your unencrypted data. And they have robust security measures to protect synced password data. So with the right solution, cloud password syncing can be reasonably secure.
In any case, saved passwords are still isolated from companies like Google and Facebook, unless you manually export your passwords from the password manager and import them into Google or Facebook accounts which is not recommended.
When Google May Have Access
There are a couple potential cases where Google could have access to passwords you use for Facebook or other sites:
Chrome Saved Passwords
Google’s Chrome browser can save your Facebook password if you allow it to when logging into Facebook. This password will be stored locally but synced to any Chrome browser that’s logged into the same Google Account.
So Google servers do have access to any passwords you have explicitly saved in Chrome in this way. However, these passwords are securely encrypted both at rest on Google’s servers and in transit using sophisticated encryption algorithms.
While not recommended, this does offer reasonably secure password syncing across browsers for convenience. Just be aware that enabling this grants Google encrypted access to those saved passwords.
Using Gmail for Facebook Recovery
If you use your Gmail address as the recovery/backup email for your Facebook account, it’s possible for Google to gain access to your Facebook password via a recovery email if you forget your password.
When resetting a Facebook password, the new temporary password is sent to the recovery email address in plaintext. So if your Gmail address is set as the recovery email for Facebook, Google’s email servers briefly have access to the new password sent by Facebook.
However, this is intended functionality and allows you to recover access to Facebook. Also, the temporary password is typically only valid for a short time before requiring you update it. So the risk is minimal.
Best Practices for Password Security
While Google does not store or have access to your actual Facebook password under normal circumstances, it’s still good practice to keep the following password security tips in mind:
Use a Unique Password for Every Site
Using the same password across multiple accounts is never recommended. If that one password is compromised or exposed in a breach, it could allow access to all of your accounts.
Instead, use a unique complex password for every important account, including Facebook and Google. That way a breach on any one site doesn’t put your other accounts at risk.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication When Possible
Multi-factor or two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. With 2FA enabled, you need to provide your password plus an additional factor like a Code from an authenticator app or biometric check.
Facebook and Google both offer 2FA options. This prevents unauthorized access even if your password is compromised. Use 2FA for improved account security.
Use a Password Manager
A dedicated password manager app provides the most secure and convenient way to generate, store, and fill strong unique passwords for all your accounts. Popular options like 1Password and LastPass offer robust encryption and features.
The best password managers also have zero-knowledge architecture so even the provider can’t access your unencrypted passwords. This keeps your credentials isolated and protected from third-parties.
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Unique passwords | Use a different complex password for every account |
| 2-Factor Authentication | Enable 2FA for extra login security when available |
| Password Manager | Store passwords securely in a dedicated app, not your browser |
The Bottom Line
In summary, Google does not automatically have access to or store your Facebook password or account information. Facebook utilizes its own proprietary systems to securely manage user logins and passwords.
Your Facebook credentials are not shared with or synced to your Google account or services under normal circumstances. You can feel confident logging into Facebook directly without that data being sent to Google.
However, for optimum privacy and security, you should use unique complex passwords for every service, enable two-factor authentication, and use a trusted password manager. Following best practices like these will keep your accounts secure.
Conclusion
Google and Facebook operate entirely separate authentication and account management systems. Your Facebook login credentials remain isolated from Google under normal conditions.
While Google may temporarily have access to Facebook passwords in certain edge cases like Chrome saved logins or password recovery flows, proper security precautions like using a password manager can prevent unauthorized access.
Practice good password hygiene by using unique passwords for every account and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible. With the right habits, you can protect your Facebook, Google, and other logins from compromise.