Facebook Said to Discontinue Nearby Friends Feature, Weather Alerts, More

Facebook's Nearby Friends feature that lets people share their current location with other Facebook users, will no longer be available starting May 31 this year. As per user reports on social media platforms, the Meta owned company has started informing users about the discontinuation of Nearby Friends and other location-based features. The functionality allows users to track their friend's real time location. Once enabled, users will be notified when their friends are in the proximity range of their current location. Along with Nearby Friends, Facebook is also shutting down weather alerts, location history, and background location.

As per multiple user posts on Twitter, Facebook reportedly announced the discontinuation of the Friends Nearby feature via a notification on the Facebook app. The feature that helps users to discover which friends are nearby or on the go will no longer be available starting May 31, 2022, said the company in a notification sent to users.

Other location-based functionalities including Weather Alerts, Location History, and Background Location are also disappearing from the platform. The company has provided time till August 1 this year for users to download their data including location history. After which, it will be removed. However, Facebook clarified that it will continue collecting users' location information for 'other experiences'.

Facebook started rolling the Nearby Friends feature on both iOS and Android back in 2014. The optional functionality shows which friends are nearby or on the go. Once 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. Also, you can see when your friends are travelling and see the city they are in.

Recently, the company reportedly announced its plans to shut down its podcast platform less than a year after its launch. The move is part of a broader re-evaluation of Facebook's audio products. Last year, Facebook launched podcasts and live audio streams in the US to keep users engaged on its platform and to compete with emerging rivals.