Speaking to Fusion, a news website, a man who wishes to remain anonymous said he suspected Facebook of using location data, after the social network suggested he befriend someone he met the previous day at a gathering for parents of suicidal teenagers.
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Facebook users who keep their location turned on may realise that they are being offered friend suggestions based on location, claims a report.
“Location is only one of the factors we use to suggest people you may know”, said a spokesman for Facebook.
Every so often, Facebook does something that sets off the alarm of privacy advocates-perhaps it’s inevitable when you’re the largest social network on the planet with over 1.65 billion users.
Notably, Facebook’s main app is not the only product from the company that tracks the user location as the standalone Messenger app has been previously reported to be doing the same. For example, you could potentially be suggested a complete stranger from a bar you frequent if you both happen to follow the same Facebook group (a fan page for a sports team, for example).
When asked to comment on the findings, Facebook admitted that location is “one of the factors” it uses in the process, but played down its importance.
Usually, the category will on many occasions bring up names of people you’ve had an association with in the past, for instance, high school mates, old friends, acquaintances and a bunch of other people. Just because you visited a bar, went to a concert, or saw a movie doesn’t mean you’re interested in being friends with every single person you shared the experience with.
You know who doesn’t like to be spied?
Facebook stressed that location alone was not the sole factor in determining a friend suggestion, saying that the two people must have had something else in common, such as overlapping networks.
Navigate on your iPhone Settings to Privacy, and then to Location Services, and scroll down to Facebook.
“We’re not using location data, such as device location and location information you add to your profile, to suggest people you may know”. Honestly, it is a bit creepy that Facebook is secretly using someone’s phone location to bring up these suggestions, however, it is possible to take care of this issue.
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Then, on Monday night, the Facebook spokesperson reached out again, saying the company had dug into the matter and found that location isn’t now used.
