Facebook Gives Users More Control Over Real-Time Location Tracking On iOS 13 And Android 10

Facebook recently indicated how it collects data of user location and background location on both Android and iOS devices. According to a recent blog post, the two operating systems have released new updates that allow users to view and control their location settings. 

In which, Android 10 will add a feature that allows users to check which applications are using their location. And iOS 13, according to Paul McDonald, the Engineering Director of Location Platform on the blog, has a function to notify the data area that the application collects and provide an explanation for the purpose of the data usage. It also has the function to create reminders when an application accesses the exact location of the users, along with the times of location access.

For Android devices, Facebook has introduced a new background location setting feature to help users check whether their location information is being collected by Facebook even when they are not using the application. Particularly for Android 10, the company has also added the option of location access restriction for some individual applications. In case the user has already used Facebook's background location settings, updating to Android 10 may cause Android and Facebook's location settings to be asynchronous. As a solution, Facebook will replace the settings that are enabled on the device by making settings that users have enabled for their app on background location settings. 

As for iOS 13, in addition to the available options, now you can control whether your location information is shared to Facebook through Location Services or not, as well as when and how to control.

The issue of users’ data exposure and data access is still a controversial topic when it comes to Facebook. And these moves seem to be a rescuing effort by Facebook to make public announcements of all new changes and updates to users, as well as ensure their privacy.