NEW YORK: Facebook Messenger app faced backlash from the users who complained that the app breached their privacy. It was claimed that the app could directly call phone numbers, take pictures and videos, download files without notification, and even change network connectivity.
Facebook later clarified that the app permissions were only required for “providing the best experience” to its users. Usually, a part of that policy to improve the user experience is also meant to track your location for advertising purposes. The Messenger app has a default setting that tracks your every location, making the app to appear like a spy on you.
Recently, a technologist Aran Khanna wrote a post explaining how Facebook Messenger can be used to pinpoint the nearly exact position of a user. He has developed a Chrome extension, called Marauders Map, that obtains information from Facebook Messenger regarding the user location and then plots it on a map. The extension is weirdly accurate, and can track the sender’s position within 3 feet of distance.
Facebook is most likely to release a patch to prevent such easy stalking of the Messenger users, but if you’re really concerned about it right now, then follow the instruction below to disable the app’s Location tracking feature on your iOS device.
Disable Facebook Messenger’s Location Tracking
On your iOS device, navigate to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services and switch Messenger to Never. Alternatively, you can also head over to Settings -> Messenger and switch location to Never.
Facebook isn’t the only app that tracks your location, so make sure you check your privacy settings on other messaging app as well.
