Los Angeles — Over the weekend, within hours after it went live, social networking giant Facebook abruptly removed a sneaky feature called “Find Friends Nearby” feature that would let users on mobile devices find other Facebook users nearby, even if they were not friends with them on the popular social media network, and which was available via the Web and its apps for Apple’s iOS and Android.
Surprisingly though, the new app–dubbed Friendshake, Find Friends Nearby, or, by some who fear it gives too much information to strangers, and was briefly became available Monday on Facebook’s mobile apps and website, despite no official announcement.
In fact, Find friends nearby allowed Facebook users to meet new people in the area, or to more easily connect with people they already met, especially in cases of fairly common names (rather than searching through several John Smiths, if the user and John Smith were both logged into the app, the proper John Smith will show up).
“Find Friends Nearby” would find Facebook users close to your location (left). But the feature disappeared from the app soon after being released (right). Image: Facebook
“Find Friends Nearby” let users of iOS and Android devices locate BFFs — and perhaps nBFFs (never BFFs) — who were within geographic range. A great feature for someone you like; for someone you do not, not so much.
But amazingly that feature, which Facebook said it was “testing” with users in a roll-out yesterday, became the hottest topic of controversy earlier today when a company called Friendthem accused Facebook of stealing the idea. In a release provided to CNET and other outlets, Friendthem’s CEO said the company was mulling a lawsuit.
When contacted for clarification, a Facebook spokesperson reportedly informed Wired: “This was not a formal release–this was just something that a few engineers were testing. With all tests, some get released as full products, others do not. Nothing more to say on this for now, but we will communicate to everyone when there is something to say.”
On the other hand, the service comes nearly two months after the social media behemoth acquired Glancee, a mobile app that helps users find people near them with similar interests. It is unclear whether Friendshake is built on the same technology.
Nevertheless, it seems that the add-on was part of Facebook’s efforts to beef up its mobile offerings, including bringing in more revenue, something the social network is trying to figure out how to achieve.