Sony made a brief announcement today that says they are no longer going to support Facebook integration on the PlayStation 4. This new policy actually went into effect starting today. This means that you will no longer be able to share content to Facebook. It also means you will no longer be able to find PSN friends via their Facebook accounts.
Sony is quick to note that the PlayStation 4 Share feature will remain largely the same as it was before. However, Facebook will no longer be one of the options offered as to where you can share your screenshots, videos, trophy details, or links to your broadcasts.
This also now means that PS4 owners will no longer be able to import profile pictures from their Facebook profiles. This integration between Facebook and the PlayStation 4 was included with the console since it was initially released.
A reason for this removal was not given by Sony. However, it's been speculated that this may have something to do with how Facebook has been locking down how third-party companies could use its data. This restriction was actually first announced back in 2018. In July, Facebook expanded upon this move to restrict access and specifically mentioned two partners that "continued to access limited types of friends data." Those two companies were Microsoft and Sony.
Both Microsoft and Sony were still able to access some Facebook data due to the result of a software bug. This had continued even after Facebook had shut down access to this type of data from other companies.
Sony details what this feature removal means for you in a new support page.
What this means for you:
PlayStation®4’s share features will remain the same, except Facebook will no longer be offered as a destination to share screenshots, videos, music, trophy details, or links to gameplay broadcasts.
PlayStation®4’s share features will remain the same, except Facebook will no longer be offered as a destination to share screenshots, videos, music, trophy details, or links to gameplay broadcasts.
- Users will no longer have the ability to link their Facebook account to their PlayStationâ„¢Network account. This means Friends List features, such as adding friends from Facebook will be removed.
- Profile pictures imported from Facebook will no longer be used. We recommend selecting a new picture for PlayStation® friends to identify you. There are multiple options for changing your profile picture on PS4™ to an Avatar or image of your choosing.
- On PS4â„¢, go to [Settings] > [Account Management] > [Account Information] > [Profile] > [Profile Picture]
- Alternatively on PS4â„¢, you can select your Profile from the Function area. Click on the [...] button to the right of [Set Online Status]. Then [Edit Profile] > [Profile Picture]
- You can also upload an image in the PlayStation® App from your mobile device
