Mark Zuckerberg just checked into Madison Square Garden. Unless you are in his inner circle, this fact may not be of any use to you. But if you know he’s there, you can walk up and say hello. This is the promise of location-based social networks. It’s not just about what you do anymore. It’s about where you are.
In 2011, about 20% of smartphone users used these applications. Research company Comscore confirmed this figure. Facebook Places is a pioneer. Gowalla and Foursquare followed.
What are Facebook Places and how do they work?
Facebook Places is a location-based service. You can send your coordinates to your social network. This feature was first introduced on the iPhone. It was soon extended to Android and BlackBerry devices as well. To use it, you need to install the Facebook app.
Your phone’s GPS does the heavy lifting for you. Specify your location and suggest nearby places. If your device does not have GPS or you are sitting at your desk, you can use touch.facebook.com. Internet connection is still required. The service is clearly built with mobile users in mind. You probably don’t take your laptop to the movies. you have a mobile device.
Why use location sharing?
Curiosity drives people. Some people have practical reasons. You can see which friends are nearby. Spontaneous gatherings have only become easier. Get the latest information on local events. If your friends attend the concert, you can too.
Consumers also benefit. Is your colleague going to Macy’s for sales? You can save money with him.
Security and privacy risks
This convenience also has a dark side. When you enter the cinema, it is also announced that your house is empty. This information This opens the door to cyberstalking. Even worse is stalking in the real world.
Businesses love this data. They can take advantage of your moves. Depending on your habits, you may receive spam messages that contain unsolicited offers. Understand the potential risks. Check wisely.
Facebook advantage in social check-ins
Facebook is still a huge company. In 2011, the platform had approximately 750 million users. In June of the same year, rival Foursquare had around 10 million users. The difference is huge. Facebook won’t give up. They are trying to stay on top.
In the past, you could tell where you were. Now you can link to a specific location. This is the process:
- Click the Check In button in the Facebook application.
- Select your location from the list. The app shows the latest check-ins from you and your nearby friends. You can also add new places.
- Add status updates or see other friends.
- Your message will appear in your friend’s news feed.
With great power comes great responsibility. This goes for Spider-Man’s uncle and Facebook Places. You need to manage your settings.
How to control who sees your login
You can customize the display settings. Use the Hide this content option in the Customize tab of your privacy settings. This will keep unwanted onlookers (like your boss) away from you.
When your friend tries to log in, Facebook sends a request. You must agree. But there’s a problem. With your permission, this friend can view your information at any time. They didn’t have to ask anymore.
How to Disable Facebook Places
Enabling the service is easy. Disabling it is difficult. Disabling it completely requires several steps.
Let’s start with the privacy settings.
- Click “Edit Settings”.
- Search for “What I share”.
- Select “Just me” under “Check in to”.
- Uncheck “People here now” in the “Include me” box.
Next, determine who can share information about you.
- Under Customize settings, select What others have shared with you.
- Disable “Friends can see my location”.
- Go to “Apps and Websites”.
- Click Edit Settings.
- Remove “Location sharing” from “Friends can visit”.
Lots of clicks. However, if you want your location to be private, you’ll have to do the work yourself. These apps will still try to share your data. you must disable them.
