In a missive to the U.S senators, Facebook came clean; you might wanna reconsider using it. (Image via TechCrunch)

Facebook able to locate your location without 'Tracking' option: Source

In a missive sent to the U.S senators on Tuesday, American largest social media platform, Facebook Inc., revealed its nasty secret. You should be careful as well. Facebook admitted that without the users opt for the “Tracking” option, the social media platform still can track its users regardless.

Facebook, after being inquired for information by two U.S senators, then explained the method of how they keep track of their users even though they choose not to share their precise locations. The social media platform does not need the users’ consent; they analyze the users’ tagged photos at specific locations.

Or, the users already gave their addresses when purchasing or selling through Facebook’s Marketplace feature. When a user shares their location information in a post, devices connecting to the internet are given IP addresses and a user's whereabouts can then be noted.

Defending its deeds, Facebook said that knowing the location of its users is essential from promoting the ads of nearby shops to battling hoaxes and hackers.

By knowing the users’ location, Facebook said that it can battle suspicious login behavior, such as when a user is in Europe, but living in China. Meanwhile, knowing the IP address helps Facebook battle hoaxes by showing the general origin of potentially nefarious activity

Knowing this information, the U.S senators’ concern worsened, especially the Republicans. Starting in 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) will run into effect. Faking a smile, Facebook said that it welcomes the act.

The CCPA allows netizens in California to see what data big tech companies collect and with whom it is shared, preventing misuse of personal information, often related to Facebook.

Source: https://bit.ly/2S4aIYS