Disable Automatic Photo Tagging Suggestions On Facebook

Facebook introduced a new facial recognition technology last year that offered a semi-automated way to tag people in photos uploaded to the social networking site. Back then, that technology was only available to users from North America. Since yesterday, that feature is available for the rest of world as well. Facebook will basically analyze photos that are uploaded to the site and suggest tags based on previously uploaded photos and tags. While it still means that Facebook users need to accept the tags, it is more likely that users will start using the tagging feature more simply because it is now easier to use.

The tagging suggestions are enabled by default for all Facebook accounts. If you are like me, you probably do not want those suggestions to automatically appear in your friend’s account, and later on if the suggestions are accepted, for all your other friends to see.

Here is how you disable the automatic photo tagging suggestions on Facebook:

Go to the Facebook website and log in if you have not done so already. Locate the Account link on the top right and select Privacy Settings from the options that open up.

Locate and click on Customize Settings. This opens a list of privacy settings. Scroll down to the Things others share section.

The Suggest photos of me to friends setting handles the photo suggestions on Facebook. Click on the Edit Settings button and change the feature from enabled to disabled. A click on OK saves the new setting.

If you disable the suggest photos of me to friends feature your friends will no longer see tag suggestions when they upload photos to Facebook. That does not keep them from adding the tags manually though. If you prefer not to be tagged at all, you may want to modify the Photos and videos you’re tagged in feature as well.

Select Custom and then Only Me from the list. Please note that this does not seem to disable tagging completely, it just blocks others from seeing the tags.

Facebook has been notorious in the past to enable sharing features for all accounts, instead of giving users an opt-in option. The reasoning behind it may be simple. If the feature is on for all accounts, it will be widely used. If it is opt-in, most users will probably never take note of it or enable it.

What’s your take on photo tagging on Facebook? Let me know in the comments. (via)

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Author: Martin Brinkmann, Tuesday June 7, 2011 -
Tags:facebook, facebook photos, facebook privacy

Responses so far:

1. Carlson Yamamoto says:

   June 8, 2011 at 9:11 am

   Don’t you think it’s funny our government can’t even obtain this kind of information about it’s citizens without a court order, but facebook and other social networking site have been given the latitude? Why not, for the government it’ll be like going to the library and avoid dealing with the ACLU, Lawsuits, etc., Wait is this the facebook that has like buttons all over the web and can track your whereabouts? Not the same facebook that bowed to china, and doesn’t allow it’s chinese users to talk about politics and religion is it? OnlyMeWorld.com the new alternative to facebook, No Real Names, No Email, No Tracking, No Facial Recognition.

   Reply
   • Kevin G says:

     July 3, 2011 at 11:20 am

     That might have something to do with FB getting this information voluntarily. The police have to request it and the constitution governs it’s obtainability.

     You don’t HAVE to put all your info on FB! There is a choice.

     Reply
2. Stuart Barrett says:

   June 15, 2011 at 1:37 pm

   Last week I disabled the “Suggest photos of me to friends”.

   However, a friend reported to me last night that Facebook suggested my name to tag on several photos of me.

   Hence, it does not seem that the disable feature is actually working

   Reply
   • Martin Brinkmann says:

     June 15, 2011 at 2:35 pm

     This would be really bad if true. Did you check the setting again to make sure it is still disabled?

     Reply
3. Suhaih says:

   August 3, 2011 at 10:34 am

   My take is that it sucks….

   Reply
4. alex says:

   October 14, 2011 at 2:23 pm

   Hi all,
   I have disabled this, but people can still tag me in pictures. the only difference is that is not giving them a suggestion….
   I dont want to be tagget at all … how do i do that?

   Facebook SUCKS BIG TIME.
   If i cannot remove the tag fiture (like i had it before) i will remove the account

   Cheers
   Alex

   Reply