Facebook is removing some location-tracking service because of ‘low usage’

According to report, Facebook is suspending numerous features that tracked your real-time location, including Nearby Friends, weather warnings, location history, and background location. Facebook says it will stop collecting data linked with these features on May 31st and will destroy all saved data on August 1st, according to a notification given to those who have previously used the service.

The Verge received confirmation from Facebook parent company Meta. “While we’re deprecating some location-based features on Facebook due to low usage, people can still use Location Services to manage how their location information is collected and used,” spokesperson Emil Vazquez said in an emailed statement.

However, this does not imply that Facebook will stop collecting location data entirely. According to Facebook’s statement to users, it will “continue collecting location information for other experiences” in order to offer relevant advertising and location check-ins in accordance with its data policy. Within the Settings and Privacy menu, you can see, download, or erase any location data the platform has saved. Otherwise, on August 1st, Facebook will immediately delete all data relating to its deceased services.

So think many of us will be disappointed to see these things disappear. (It doesn’t appear that many people rely on Facebook for weather updates these days.) Nearby Friends, introduced by Facebook in 2014, allows you to share your real-time location with your friends — and vice versa — with the goal of arranging in-person hangouts with folks in your immediate vicinity. Its popularity waned over time as rival applications such as Snapchat’s Snap Map and Apple’s Find My Friends gained traction.

Given Facebook’s track record when it comes to protecting users’ data, the removal of these location-based services is actually a relief. Following a report that revealed Facebook recorded users’ movements if they made a “credible” threat, Facebook began allowing Android users to turn off background location tracking in 2019. (Apple currently allows users to disable location tracking for certain apps.)

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

Because you’ve previously used Nearby Friends, Weather alerts, Location History or Background Location, we’re letting you know that these products and features will no longer be available after May 31, 2022. Information you shared that was used for these experiences, including 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 information for other experiences as described in our Data Policy.
Update your settings
You can update your current Location History and Background Location settings in the Facebook App until May 31, 2022. After this date, the settings will be disabled.
Accessing your Location History
If you want to view or delete your existing Location History, you can access your information and download your information before Aug 1, 2022. After this date, if you do nothing, your existing Location History information will be automatically deleted.