A proposed feature for Facebook users could allow you to communicate with other people in the same vicinity as you – regardless of whether you know them or not.

The recently granted patent shows that the social media company wants to introduce features that track who its users encounter in the real world.

While the People You May Know feature has been included on the social media platform for about a decade now, the company could be exploring new ways to make friends in public.

Bringing People Together

This new feature describes a proposed method of using your device, be it a smartphone or tablet, to identify the wireless signals of other users’ devices. This includes Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, NFC or Pan comms.

In the patent description, Facebook asserts that the app could use these various signals to measure both how close you are to another user and for how long. It then analyses this data to assess the likelihood that the two users have actually met.

If users who are not ‘friends’ on the platform consistently spend extended periods of time together, the app’s algorithm will determine whether the two users have met or if their meeting was “sufficiently significant” to recommend them to each other on the platform.

It also suggests that the app could record how often devices encounter one another and the average duration of these meetings – potentially helping two work colleagues to connect in the virtual world. A novel idea and one that could have great practical applications.

Alternatively, however, Facebook could take advantage of device gyroscopes or accelerometers to monitor and analyse movement patterns so you can find that stranger you’ve been jogging behind for the last six months (totally coincidentally, of course).

Facebook’s inspiration for these proposals lies in what it considers to be a current inhibitor of user interaction; actually knowing someone’s details.

“If, for example, the first user meets the second user but forgets to obtain the second user’s contact information and does not apparently share any mutual connections with the second user, it can be challenging or inefficient for the first user to search for and find the second user within the social networking service,” the patent explains.

It adds: “These and other similar concerns can reduce the overall user experience associated with using social networking services.”

Convenient or Creepy?

While the patent claims this proposed feature will be valuable for users to help build bridges with people they’ve met in a fleeting exchange, the issue of user privacy must be raised.

The People You May Know feature has been heavily criticised in the past with claims that it violates user privacy and even endangers people. Blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world could raise issues further down the line.

On previous occasions, Facebook’s algorithm has linked psychiatric patients who have received treatment from the same practitioner. It has also revealed the identities of people attending anonymous support groups and sex workers have been linked to clients.

The company fervently denied claims in 2016 that it was using location data to make friend suggestions, however, it admitted that user location had been trialled in the past.

“We’re not using location data, such as device location and location information you add to your profile, to suggest people you may know,” A spokesperson said at the time.

“We may show you people based on mutual friends, work and education information, networks you are part of, contacts you’ve imported and other factors.”

The patent description claims that users will have an opt-out or disable feature included and, although this appears to be a proactive step to ensure user privacy, it also highlights the restrictive nature of its current contact-linking feature, which does not allow users to opt out.

Matthew Rice, Scotland Director at the Open Rights Group, believes Facebook could be delving into unknown, dangerous territory with such a feature.

“There are plenty of examples where people spend time with one another but should remain anonymous,” he said. “For instance, waiting rooms of doctors or at a therapists office.”

Rice added: “This tool would have to be able to separate these intimate spaces out from others. If it doesn’t it will intrude on some very sensitive areas of private life. At this stage, Facebook should tread very carefully with the environments it creates for user connection”

Will Users See This Soon?

Although the social media giant has been granted a patent, this does not necessarily mean the feature will be implemented – or even tested. However, what this represents is an attempt by Facebook to explore new methods through which to ‘connect’ people and harness user data.

Recent data scandals have rocked the California-based firm, and as recently as last week the company was embroiled in another blossoming scandal. To propose a new feature – which may be questioned on privacy grounds – could be a difficult move for the firm.

Hackers appear to have compromised and published private messages from more than 80,000 Facebook users’ accounts. While Facebook said its security had not been compromised, those who carried out the alleged hack told the BBC Russian Service that they possess the details from over 120 million accounts.