Facebook rolls out file-sharing for groups

Members of groups on Facebook can now share files, as the social networking giant now offers the ability to send files to "co-members" in a Facebook Group.

 

Tech site Mashable reported the update will initially roll out to a small percentage of groups Thursday, and will become available to others soon.

 

"Users can upload most file types up to 25MB — the same file size limit as Gmail. The exceptions: music files... and executable (.exe) files. But e-books, comics, music videos and other small movies are fair game," Mashable said.

 

It said this followed the file-sharing feature offered on Facebook Groups for Schools that was launched last month.

 

File-sharing for Facebook Groups for Schools had required an .edu email address to use it.

 

To prevent the spread of malicious, inappropriate or copyrighted files, “users can report files the same way they can with other content across the site,” a Facebook spokesperson said.

 

But Mashable said it remains to be seen if a group that wants to share such things will willingly turn itself in.

 

Mashable noted more than 380 million people use Facebook Groups.

 

Being able to share files was one of the most common requests from groups users, it quoted the Facebook spokesperson as saying.

 

In October 2010, Facebook acquired simple file sharing service drop.io.

 

Unlike Adobe Connect or Dropbox users, drop.io users did not have to register to use the site. They could simply upload a file, create a “drop” with links to files and share it with others.

 

Drop.io also had free conference call service — so perhaps Facebook can incorporate this technology into its file sharing feature in future, Mashable said. — RSJ, GMA News