Apparent defect in Facebook in-app browser drops cookies; users urged to open links externally

An apparent defect in Facebook’s in-app browser is intermittently sending requests to websites without previously set cookies, prompting sites to advise users to open links in their device’s default browser until the issue is resolved. According to a notice provided to readers, the behavior appears to be a defect in Facebook’s embedded browser and is expected to be addressed soon.

The problem surfaces sporadically and can lead to websites not receiving cookies that had been set earlier, the notice said. As a temporary workaround, users are advised to continue using the Facebook app but avoid its in-app browser by enabling the “Links Open Externally” option in App Settings.

The notice also recommends ensuring cookies are enabled in the web browser being used. The advisory indicates a fix is anticipated; in the meantime, opening links in the default browser and allowing cookies remain the recommended steps to prevent interruptions.