Facebook is getting rid of some location-tracking features because of ‘low usage’

Facebook is getting rid of some location-tracking features because of  ‘low usage’

Facebook will stop collecting data associated with these features on the  May 31st

Facebook is discontinuing many services that tracked your real-time location — containing Nearby Friends, weather alerts, location history, and background location — because of  “low usage,” as spotted by 9 to 5 Mac. In a notification sent to people who’ve utilized the feature in the past, Facebook says it will stop collecting data associated with these features on the May 31st and will wipe any stored information on August 1st.

Facebook ruler company Meta confirmed the news to The Verge. “While we’re deprecating some location-based features on Facebook because of  low usage, people can still utilize Location Services to manage how their location information is collected and used,” spokesperson Emil Vazquez told in an emailed statement.

This doesn’t mean that Facebook will stop collecting location information altogether, though. As stated in its note to consumers, Facebook tells it will “continue collecting location data for other experiences” to serve up relevant ads and location check-ins in line with its data policy. You can see , download, or delete any location data the platform saved within the Settings and Privacy menu. Otherwise, Facebook will naturally delete any stored data related to its discontinued services on August 1st.

I don’t think several of us will be sad to see these features go. (Doesn’t seem such as too many people are relying on Facebook for weather alerts these days). Nearby Friends, which Facebook introduced in 2014, permitted the Facebook app to share your real-time location with your friends — and vice versa — with the aim of arranging in-person hangouts with people near you. Its popularity understandably waned over the years after similar features, such as a Snap chat’s Snap Map and Apple’s Find My Friends, took hold.

Provided that Facebook doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping users’ data secure, it’s really more of a relief that Facebook is getting rid of these location-based features. Facebook began letting users on Android turn off background location tracking in 2019 following a report that revealed Facebook tracked users’ locations if they created a “credible” threat. (Apple already let consumers turn off location tracking for specific apps.)

You can read Facebook’s full message to consumers here:

Because you’ve previously utilized Nearby Friends, Weather alerts, Location History or Background Location, we’re letting you know that these products and features will no longer be obtainable after May 31, 2022. Details you shared that was used for these experiences, containing Location History and Background Location, will stop being collected after May 31, 2022, even if you have previously enabled them. Facebook will otherwise continue collecting location details  for other experiences as described in our Data Policy.

Update your a settings

You can update your recent Location History and Background Location settings in the Facebook App until May 31, 2022. After this date, the settings will be a disabled.

Accessing your a Location History

If you wish to view or delete your existing Location History, you can access your details and download your information before Aug 1, 2022. After this date, if you do nothing, your existing Location History details will be automatically deleted.