Facebook seems to be having a tough run right now as the problems are increasing with new controversies. The latest reason why Facebook’s mobile app is getting criticized is that a lot of Samsung phone users are unable to uninstall or update the app.
Yes, this is true even if we talk about flagship phones like the Galaxy 8. Talking about the issue, a Facebook spokesperson said
The disabled version of the app acts like it’s been deleted, so it doesn’t continue collecting data or sending information back to Facebook. But there’s rarely communication with the consumer about the process. The Menlo Park, California-based company said whether the app is deletable or not depends on various pre-install deals Facebook has made with phone manufacturers, operating systems and mobile operators around the world over the years, including Samsung. Facebook, the world’s largest social network, wouldn’t disclose the financial nature of the agreements, but said they’re meant to give the consumer “the best” phone experience right after opening the box.
Samsung replied and said it supplies a pre-installed Facebook app on selected models with options to disable it, and after it’s disabled, the program is no longer running. Facebook declined to supply a list of the partners where it has prices for permanent apps, saying that those agreements vary by type and region. There is no comprehensive list available online, and customers might not know if Facebook is pre-loaded unless they expressly request a customer service representative when they purchase a telephone.
Note that, Facebook is not the only one whose apps come up on smartphones by default. Samsung’s smartphones come with many pre-installed Google apps such as YouTube, Google Play Music, and Gmail; Google is the creator of the Android software that forces the phone.
Other phone makers and service providers, including LG Electronics Inc., Sony Corp., Verizon Communications Inc., and AT&T Inc., have made similar deals with Google and some other app makers.
