Facebook Messenger gets a new way to share locations

Facebook Messenger is set to receive an update where you can share a location to contacts. You will also be able to share locations where you want to meet, say, a coffee house or Best Buy.

While this feature will be new to Messenger, users have been able to see locations for awhile now. Simply tapping on a sent message will show you where it was sent from. However, Facebook says this new location feature will be replacing its old location service, allowing you to be a bit more judicious on sharing your location.

With this update, you have full control over when and how you share your location information. You only send a location when you tap on the location pin and then choose to send it as a separate message. You can also share a location—like a meeting spot—even if you’re not there.

Facebook said that nothing is changing in app permissions or when its gathering your location. “Messenger does not get location information from your device in the background — only each time you select a location and tap Send when you use the Messenger app,” it said in a blog post.

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In other words, the only thing that is changing is the method of how you share your location with others, along with a way to share a meeting point. And if you’re not a fan of sharing your location with Facebook, there’s always the option of turning it off.

In reality, only a select few people will use this feature. It’s hard to imagine it being widely used or even conventionally useful.

source: Facebook

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