Many Facebook users criticized the popular social networking site after they were subjected to high data charges due to its auto-play feature, American Live Wire reported.
According to the report, after smartphone users scrolled down to check their Facebook news feed, the site automatically started playing videos which then translated to a high data charge.
Facebook has not yet released an official statement whether the problem affected the browser or app version of the site.
Users became aware of the data charges during the height of the popularity of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge online videos. According to the users, they were charged every time videos of the fund-raising challenge were played on their devices.
Due to the number of complaints from users, the site MoneySavingExpert.com ran tests of its own to find the root of the problem.
The site's analysis revealed that Facebook's auto-play feature is indeed the culprit of the high data charges
"We've seen many people who have been stung with data bills after exceeding their monthly allowance and who believe it to be because of Facebook auto-playing videos," the site wrote.
In order to avoid high data charges, smartphone users are advised to change the Facebook settings of their devices, according to WGNTV.
For Apple iOS users, go to the phone's settings then select "Facebook" and click on "Settings." They then have the option to select "Auto-play only on Wi-Fi" or "Off."
For Android users, they should first open their Facebook accounts then go to "Settings" and click on "App Settings." Like Apple users, they can select between "Auto-Play only on Wifi" or "Off."
Despite turning off the auto-play feature, some users warned that this may be activated again once Facebook rolls out new updates, Daily Mail reported.
"Remember that even if you stop the videos playing automatically now, you will possible have to do it again each time Facebook updates, as the updates seem to override the phone settings," Facebook user Nicola Gargan said.