The feature has been the subject of privacy concerns since it launched last December in the U.S. When uploading new photos, it recognizes familiar faces and suggests the appropriate names to tag. Users who do not want their photos automatically tagged must opt out as they are not initially asked for permission.
Excluding Canadian users from using tag suggestions also means they will not be suggested for tagging when friends upload photos where the feature is available.
"Not all of our launches roll out globally and each of our different products and features have varying launch schedules," says a Facebook spokesperson in a Globe and Mail story. "And we don't have plans to roll this feature out in Canada at this time."
The launch of tag suggestions had quickly become the subject of worldwide scrutiny. An American coalition of digital rights groups has already filed a complaint with the FDC (Federal Trade Commission) and privacy watchdogs in Europe have begun investigating potential violations, alleging users are not fully aware of their biometric data which is secretly collected.
Should the controversial feature eventually find its way north of the border, it could launch another Canadian inquiry into Facebook's privacy measures.
Canada's privacy commission locked horns with Facebook back in 2009 when members of the CIPPIC (Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic) suggested Facebook's privacy information was incomplete or confusing. Facebook agreed to adjust its settings worldwide after the privacy commission launch a full investigation.
(AFP photo)
