If you're using the Facebook app on your phone, you might notice the appearance of a new Discover People section. As you would probably guess this is a feature designed to connect you with people on the social network, but there's something of a creepy twist.

Unlike the current "People you may know" section which suggests that you might like to become friends with people because you have a common acquaintance, the experimental Discover People adopts a different approach. It suggests that you become friends with complete strangers.

Facebook uses the fact that you might work for the same company as someone, live nearby, or that you are interested in the same event, as a reason for suggesting that you become friends. It's as though the social network is trying to play matchmaker as there are distinct similarities to the likes of Tinder.

Of course, as the hackneyed saying goes, a friend is just a stranger you haven’t met yet, and Facebook seems to be adopting a LinkedIn-style approach to encouraging users to connect with as many other users as possible. But there are, of course, privacy concerns.

Using Facebook events (many of which are public and visible to millions of people) as a measure for suggesting friends is a strange choice as it is likely to encourage connections, even harassment -- let's not forget that there are a lot of nutters out there. The Independent points out another potential problem:

Facebook Cloning -- a tactic where scammers create an account using the exact same name, personal information and profile and cover photos included on your own profile, before attempting to trick your friends and family into sharing your private details -- is on the rise, and Discover People could make it easier for fraudsters to pick their targets.

Anyone who uses Discover People -- which can be found under Friends, Nearby Places and Groups if activated on the account -- is invited to complete their profile which can then be used as way to introduce themselves to strangers. Whether this is just an ill-thought-out feature by Facebook which could end up being used for online stalking and harassment, or it indicates something of a new direction for the social network, remains to be seen.

Discover People started as a test in New Zealand and Australia, and now it is rolling out to Android and iOS users around the world.

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