How to turn off this creepy Facebook feature – CNET

Facebook’s Suggested Friends category is usually full of casual acquaintances, old friends from high school and other random people.

Lately, however, you may have seen random suggestions of people you don’t know, yet somehow vaguely recognize. It turns out, Facebook is using your phone’s location to match you with fellow Facebook users who are nearby, as first reported by Fusion.

There’s a lot that could go wrong with this feature, and frankly it’s a bit creepy. However, you can disable location services for the Facebook app on your phone, thereby preventing Facebook from trying to play matchmaker.

Android users

Enlarge Image

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

The process will vary depending on your device, manufacturer and the version of Android it’s using. For Android 6.0 Marshmallow users, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location > Off.

Users of older Android devices, you may want to look at using Facebook through Google’s Chrome browser on your device. Not only does it prevent location access (assuming you decline when asked) but it also saves on battery life.

iOS users

Enlarge Image

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Open Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Facebook.

There will be three options listed, but the only one we’re concerned with is Never; tap on it.