A new way to locate phones VIA messages sent has emerged on Facebook's messaging system. For anyone using instant messaging or chat with a relatively new phone could be traced right down to literally yards.

 

I first noticed this phone trace system when I was chatting to someone in Bangkok. When I went into the 'messages' section it gave a clear indication of where the user was on a Bing map.

Trying the system locally, I sent messages to a user in a local pub and was able to identify where that person was on map and it was very accurate. The technology must use several features of a modern smartphone to track phones. Although the system is good it could bring some users problems.

This type of phone tracker system will only get more accurate with time, who knows what it will be like in years to come. Its worth noting though that this could potentially catch a lot of people out though.

For anyone who does not know about this system, an employee could reveal your real location when you might not want them to know. In a similar fashion, your girlfriend, partner or friend could catch you out in an instance.

If you don't want your footsteps traced by your phone to the nearest few meters, there is an option to turn this phone tracker type feature off in Facebook in settings though.