How to . . . disable Facebook Places

If you don't want your location shared with the whole world, here's how to disable Facebook Places in the site's security settings.

1. Log into your Facebook account. In the upper right-hand corner, click "Account" and select "Privacy Settings." Under "Sharing on Facebook" select "Custom," if it is not already selected, and then "Customize Settings."

2. Under "Things I share," find "Places I check in to" and select "Only Me." Beneath that, unclick "Include me in 'People Here Now' after I check in." Scroll to "Things others share" and select "Disabled" for "Friends can check me in to Places."

3. Go back to Privacy Settings. Under "Applications and Websites," click "Edit your settings." Under "Info accessible through your friends," click "Edit Settings." Unclick "Places I check in to" and anything else you don't want shared. Click "Save Changes."