Facebook Inc (FB) Will Soon Be Tracking Your Location

Updated on

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is developing a smart app that is capable of tracking the location of its users even when the app is not launched on the handset.

Facebook Inc (FB) Will Soon Be Tracking Your Location

According to Bloomberg, the social networking giant may very soon present its location tracking app that will track the foot prints of users, the locations they visit, even when the user is not running the app on their handset.

Although, the official purpose of the app is to help users search friends nearby, Bloomberg wrote that the app may help Facebook sell ads based off of where users go.

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) users are already able to use the ‘Check-In’ feature to update the status of their current location. The new app may however overrule the voluntary check-in of users by tracking the current location of a user without user’s knowledge.

Bloomberg also highlighted that Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) may have already gained permission from its users to run such an application by including it in its data-user policy. The company informs the users that it may use their location information “to tell you and your friends about people or events nearby, or offer deals to you that you might be interested in.”

“When we get your GPS location, we put it together with other location information we have about you (like your current city),” the data use policy reads. “But we only keep it until it is no longer useful to provide you services, like keeping your last GPS coordinates to send you relevant notifications.”

This would mean user may or may not see any notification asking if Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) could use their location, which all apps must do in accordance with Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) policies. The app is scheduled to be launched in March.

Leave a Comment