Facebook will remove one of its most controversial features

the goal is near disable various location -based features, including Facebook “close friends”. These features will disappear on May 31 and all data associated with these features will be removed from Facebook’s servers on August 1.

The change was first noticed by media expert 9to5Mac, after some users reported a notification on the Facebook application last week. Other features include missing weather alerts, weather alertslocation history and background location.

Various expert media celebrated the decision, as it was considered dangerous. However, many other social networks and apps use similar features, but Facebook is in the eye of the storm. of reviews for its use of personal data.

Thus, Facebook alerts users via emails and news notifications that nearby friends, along with weather alerts, location history and background location will be suspended from May 31, 2022.

This is what the company informed: “Because you have previously used Nearby Friends, Weather Alerts, Location History or Background Location, we are informing you that these products and features will no longer be available after May. 31, 2022. The information you share was used for these experiences, including location history and background location, will stop collecting after May 31, 2022, even if you have previously enabled them. Otherwise, Facebook will continue to collect location information for other experiences, as described in our Data Policy. “

Facebook informs users that they can still log in to access their information or even download a copy before August 1, if they want to view or delete information on the Facebook site before the deadline or keep a copy for their notes. . They can also choose disable the ability of the features to collect your location information before the expiration date.

The failure of the function

The problem with geolocation functions is that they need to have a contextual framework within the applications. For transmission, for example, it makes sense that they are activated. But to discover “best friends”it is not very clear that users are comfortable using it.

While these features are specifically driven by location data, Facebook said it will continue to collect location information from users for other experiences on its platform, as outlined in its Data Policy . For example, location data is still used to personalize ads, for posts with check-in, Facebook and more.

The closures were first spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra when he noticed an alert in his notifications.

Facebook’s Nearby Friends feature debuted in the market at the time that social networking applications location-based take-offs.

“While we have discontinued some location -based features on Facebook due to low usage, people can still use Location Services to manage how information from their location is collected and used. Location”, Said a Facebook spokesperson.