14 DAY TRIAL // In light of some pretty horrible breakup stories that users reported to Facebook, the social network is testing new account settings that will allow couples that are breaking up to ignore each other without having to unfriend their exes or deactivate their accounts.
These new tools are only available in the US for the mobile version of the site, but judging by the response they got, the new post-breakup settings seem to have assured a place in Facebook's future site update.
According to Kelly Winters, Facebook Product Manager, the new tools will spring into action whenever someone updates their Facebook relationship status.
If this goes from relationship to single, Facebook will prompt the user with a series of popups, allowing them to see less of their ex, and will also make settings so that their ex sees less of them.
This includes the ability to remove the ex's posts from your news feed, prevent their name from popping up when searching the site, keep their name from showing up when starting a new message, and remove the ability for others to tag them in your older photos.
Breaking up on Facebook is much easier than in real life
If you're not the brokenhearted one, the tools will also help you if you have stalkerish exes as well. Facebook is now allowing people to stop new photos, videos, and status updates from popping up in the significant former's news feed.
Additionally, just by pressing a button, a partner can automatically remove themselves from all the ex's photos where they've been tagged.
"This work is part of our ongoing effort to develop resources for people who may be going through difficult moments in their lives," said Mrs. Winters. "We hope these tools will help people end relationships on Facebook with greater ease, comfort and sense of control."
