If you’ve ever wondered how Facebook manages to suggest the worst possible people for you to add to your friends list, it might be time to look at your privacy settings.
According to Fusion, Facebook confirmed it used GPS data on cellphones to figure out whom you might cross paths with on the reg, before later retracting the statement and denying the claim. Fusion cited posts from Reddit and Slashdot to back its claim after Facebook changed its tune.
If it is true, it may help you find that friend-of-a-friend that you may or may not have taken shots with at a party three years ago, but it would also be a pretty creepy method of helping people connect.
On the social network’s Help page, it states that Facebook uses data such as “mutual friends, work and education information, networks you’re part of, contacts you’ve important and many other factors.” Fusion reporter Kashmir Hill initially emailed a Facebook representative after he met someone who had a “People You May Know” suggestion of a man he had met for the first time the night before, though they shared no overlapping friends or networks.
Initially a spokeperson for Facebook said the network “often suggest[s] people you may know based on things you have in common” and that, “location is only one of the factors we use to suggest people you may know.” But now, after a lot of negative feedback over Fusion’s report, Facebook is changing its tune, claiming that it did use location data at one time, but doesn’t anymore. Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission, eh, Facebook?
Just to be safe, if you want to opt out from Facebook knowing where you are at all times just for you-know-whats and giggles, you can turn it off in your device’s privacy settings. Location services can be turned off for all your apps, or just individual ones.
While we wait for Facebook to decide whether it’s using our location data, we can all agree it’s still creepy the way the social network has a knack for suggesting we add our ex’s sister’s best friend’s second cousin twice removed whom we met once at a family barbecue in 2010. They should take that magic trip on tour.
@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
![Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ppn-l-lwd-fatpour-district-1860-0502-01_6be1c2.jpg?w=467 "Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]")