With people's personal data leaking all over the place, due to hacks or unintentionally, there should be something to prevent or at least limit such incidents from happening.
Android and iOS, the two most popular mobile operating systems, have updated their privacy and security approach by warning users when an app has been using their location data in the background. In other words, users are having more controls over how individual apps access location, either when the apps are in use or not.
And Facebook that is considered to have one of the most intrusive apps out there, is already anticipating this.
The social giant is already suffering from the massive user concerns, controversies and privacy mishaps. And this is affecting its brand.
To counter even more user concerns, the company published a post to explain how exactly its apps use location data, and why users shouldn't be concerned when location is turned on, with Facebook allowed to gather that data.
As explained by Facebook, tracking users' location data is actually for users own benefits:
In Android version 10, users have new controls over how individual apps access location data. Facebook noted that this may cause some confusion in respect to your individual Facebook data settings. But if users still want to deny Facebook in accessing their location data, Facebook will "continue to respect your most restrictive settings choice".
"For example, if your device location setting is set to 'all of the time,' but your Facebook background location setting is off, we won’t collect your precise location information when you’re not using the Facebook app."
The social giant also said that it is phasing out its background location setting on Android 10, that reminds users to check their device's location settings, in order to ensure that users are confident with their choice.
As for iOS 13, in addition to the existing 'Always', 'Only when the app is in use' and 'Never' location services options, users are having a fourth option: 'Allow once'.
Selecting this will change how apps are able to track users. In this case, Facebook can still track their location, but the phone will start notifying users about when Facebook is using their precise location in the background and how many times it has accessed that information.
Facebook relies on users' interactions and data to profile them and get to know more about their needs, in order to appeal advertisers and get revenue.
So ideally, Facebook wants users to leave tracking options on. This way, the social giant can keep on gathering all the necessary data points, while serving more targeted ads. So before Android 10 and iOS 13 rolls out to all users of the respective operating systems, Facebook is informing users of the changes ahead of time, so they don't simply turn their mobile's location off for Facebook.
"Yes, we track your data, but don't worry, it's for your own good," Facebook said.
"You’re in control of who sees your location on Facebook. You can control whether your device shares precise location information with Facebook via Location Services, a setting on your phone or tablet."
To entice and appeal users to keep locations on, Facebook said that: "We’ll continue to make it easier for you to control how and when you share your location. We’re always building new features to help you explore the world around you, including Local Alerts to keep you informed on breaking news and the new map in the Events tab to help you find things to do with friends nearby."
But still, Facebook cannot and should not force anyone to do its bidding.
What users should know, denying Facebook to access location data will affect experience. With less information it gathers, it will be less capable of delivering that scarily convincing experience it's capable of.
However, since Facebook is so invasive by utilizing a lot of trackers, users should also know that Facebook "may still understand your location using things like check-ins, events and information about your internet connection."
Further reading: The Many Ways Your Smartphone And Apps Can Track You, And How To Control Them