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New Facebook Phone App Lets You Stalk Your Friends

Posted by samzenpus on from the I-won't-be-ignored dept.

Hugh Pickens DOT Com (2995471) writes "Iain Thomson reports that Facebook is adding a new application called 'Nearby Friends' that alerts smartphone users when their friends are nearby. 'If you turn on Nearby Friends, you'll occasionally be notified when friends are nearby, so you can get in touch with them and meet up,' says Facebook in a statement. 'For example, when you're headed to the movies, Nearby Friends will let you know if friends are nearby so you can see the movie together or meet up afterward.' The feature, which is opt-in, allows users to select which friends get a warning that you are in the area, and prepare a subset of people who might like to know when you're near, if they have the Nearby Friends activated as well. According to Josh Constine what makes 'Nearby Friends' different than competitors and could give it an advantage is that it's centered around broadcasting proximity, not location. 'If someone's close, you'll know, and can ping them about their precise location and meeting up. Broadcasting location is creepy so we're less likely to share it, and can cause awkward drop-ins where someone tries to come see you when you didn't want them to.'"

7 of 61 comments (clear)

  1. "'If you turn on Nearby Friends" by BisuDagger · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Then don't turn it on! GG.

    1. Re:"'If you turn on Nearby Friends" by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This feature is actually a killer app on the dating phone apps. When you're logged in it encourages meeting new people directly because the apps shows you two are close by, (or not). It's a huge icebreaker to say "hey, looks like you're about five blocks from me, wanna get coffee?"

      So for the Facebook aspect I'd focus on the implementation of the Opt-In (to make sure no Facebook silliness is going on), then the key is you *toggle* it on and off all day.

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  2. This is completely backwards. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I use Facebook so I don't have to see people in the flesh. This app would not help my anti-social preferences.

  3. Google Latitude by Cyfun · · Score: 4, Informative

    Didn't Google Latitude do this like 5 years ago?

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    In Soviet Russia, dot slashes YOU!
  4. How about nearby enemies? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd rather have a "people I don't want to meet" warning.

  5. Re:Facebook is stalking you anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Don't use facebook, delete your profile. There is no need to have or post your life online. Use addon for your browser like Adblock Plus, Betterprivacy, noscript, and ghostery. You will be better off for it.

  6. Get off my lawn time.. by hodet · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Can't anybody just let life happen anymore? No more spontaneous meetups, no more random happenings. Everything orderly, predictable and uploadable for facebook to make money with. I'm no luddite, I spend a good amount of my life working with and using technology, but stuff like this? I guess this is where I diverge from the younger generation. To each his own I guess. Don't mean to come down as judgmental or anything, I would like to hear the other side and how this stuff actually makes life better.