People love being connected, and Facebook's Messenger is one of the main reasons people can be updated with one another. However, would you be ok with Messenger auto-sharing your location to people without your consent? Here's why the question is asked.
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Facebook Messenger Auto-Share Update Coming Soon
Facebook's Messenger app is toying with the idea that the app will auto-share your location to your friends where you are and give them the idea of what you might be doing. Messenger has been spotted with a prototype version of the Instagram close friends-only Threads app which does auto status option that was launched last October 2019.
The unreleased version of Messenger will feature that same thing; it will use your location via accelerometer of your phone as well as your battery life to determine what you might be up to and share it with specific people in your friends' list.
However, instead of tagging your location, it will post an emoji to let them know what you're doing in that location to indicate what you might be doing. May it be hanging out, eating, doing groceries, watching a movie, or just merely charging your smartphone.
When Will It Be Released or Announced?
It is still under wraps and won't be online as of the moment, but you can never really tell with how fast Facebook works right now given the size of the tech giant. If ever released, however, the feature could become the same as AOL Away Message, which allows people to stay in closer touch without the added creepiness of stalker vibes with the exact location. It will also help people coordinate online or offline meetups by revealing what people are more into these days.
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Auto Status will create an ice breaker for other people to interact with you. If someone has the same hobbies as you, they could hit you up and ask to hang out, but that would be in the future and not right now pending the cure for the pandemic happening around the globe.
There are many reasons why auto-sharing can provide benefits but much more reason to be wary of this feature since this opens up a variety of inconveniences for you especially if you are unaware of the function is turned on. Your privacy will be at stake, and people might question why you're there regardless of whatever emoji is on your status.
It is crucial to understand and agree or disagree on these conditions. Consent is the number one concern here regarding sharing your location, regardless if it is not exact. Still, people who would know you or check the emoji would quickly ascertain to your exact whereabouts and what you may or may not be doing.
Alexandru Voica, who works at Facebook as an EMEA Tech Comms had this to say in a tweet, "We're always exploring new features to improve your Messenger experience. This feature is still in early development and not externally testing."
If this becomes the new feature Messenger is going to push through, remember to make sure to either opt-in or opt-out of the feature. Whichever you prefer, just don't forget.
