Fb’s Close by Associates characteristic that lets individuals share their present location with different Fb customers, will now not be out there beginning Could 31 this yr. As per person stories on social media platforms, the Meta owned firm has began informing customers concerning the discontinuation of Close by Associates and different location-based options. The performance permits customers to trace their pal’s actual time location. As soon as enabled, customers will probably be notified when their pals are within the proximity vary of their present location. Together with Close by Associates, Fb can also be shutting down climate alerts, location historical past, and background location.
As per a number of person posts on Twitter, Fb reportedly introduced the discontinuation of the Associates Close by characteristic through a notification on the Facebook app. The characteristic that helps customers to find which pals are close by or on the go will now not be out there beginning Could 31, 2022, stated the corporate in a notification despatched to customers.
Different location-based functionalities together with Climate Alerts, Location Historical past, and Background Location are additionally disappearing from the platform. The corporate has supplied time until August 1 this yr for customers to obtain their knowledge together with location historical past. After which, will probably be eliminated. Nonetheless, Fb clarified that it’s going to proceed amassing customers’ location data for ‘different experiences’.
Fb began rolling the Nearby Friends characteristic on each iOS and Android again in 2014. The optionally available performance reveals which pals are close by or on the go. When you activate Close by Associates, you will often be notified when pals are close by, so you may get in contact with them and meet up. Additionally, you may see when your mates are travelling and see the town they’re in.
Just lately, the corporate reportedly announced its plans to close down its podcast platform lower than a yr after its launch. The transfer is a part of a broader re-evaluation of Fb’s audio merchandise. Final yr, Fb launched podcasts and reside audio streams within the US to maintain customers engaged on its platform and to compete with rising rivals.