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Whether it's the ice bucket challenge or dancing pet cats, Facebook newsfeeds are now flooded with videos.

Unless you've changed your default settings, all of these videos will begin to play automatically, both on Wi-Fi and on 3G and 4G connections.

Now, new research has found that some Facebook mobile users are experiencing higher than usual bills as a result of the autoplay video function.

Facebook would not confirm whether its autoplay was via the app or on a browser. Pictured on the left is its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. To switch off the settings on an Apple device, go to phone's Settings, select Facebook, select Settings, and then select 'auto-play only on Wi-Fi', or 'off' (right)

During testing by MoneySavingExpert.com, videos appeared to autoplay via the app only.

The money advice site claims it has received a number of complaints from people who have been stung with data bills after exceeding their monthly allowance.

They suggest that this is due to Facebook autoplaying videos and has advised people to change their settings now to either turn off the auto-play feature, or to set it so videos only auto-play on Wi-Fi.

Facebook's autoplay videos were first trialled in September 2013 – although the social network site would not confirm when the initiative was fully rolled out.

AVOID BEING HIT BY UNFAIR CHARGES DUE TO FACEBOOK VIDEOS

Facebook confirmed videos autoplay on 3G and 4G

How do I turn off the auto-play video feature?

Apple: Go to your phone's Settings > Click Facebook > Click Settings > Select 'Auto-play only on Wi-fi', or 'Off'.

Android: Facebook app functions can be controlled through the handset and through the Facebook app itself.

Go to your Facebook account Settings > Click App Settings > Then within General Settings select 'Auto-play only on Wifi', or 'Off.'

If I have had unfair charges, who do I complain to?

If you've been hit with charges you deem to be unfair, contact your mobile provider explaining why these are unfair and ask it to refund the money.

If this doesn't work, you can take your complaint to the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS) or to the Ombudsman Services – which one depends on who your provider is signed up to.

What does Facebook say?

Facebook confirmed videos do automatically play on 3G and 4G but declined to expand on whether this referred to the browser or to the app. It refused to comment any further on the issue.

'I went over my data limit for the first time in May, I turned off Facebook videos and haven't been anywhere near my limit since,' said Facebook user, Caroline Greenhalgh Baxter. The service was first trialled a year ago

'It's worrying that Facebook is autoplaying videos by default, as it's clearly catching users out, with some claiming they've unknowingly exceeded their data limit and incurred extra charges as a result,' said MoneySavingExpert.com consumer and features editor Steve Nowottny.

'Anyone who uses Facebook on their mobile or tablet when they're out and about or using 3G or 4G should check their settings now – change your auto-play settings to off, or so that videos only play over wifi.'

Facebook users were asked if they'd reached their data limit faster than normal and whether they thought it was because of the autoplay feature.

Many responded to say they had noticed their data usage and bills had rocketed.

'I went over my data limit for the first time in May, I turned off Facebook videos and haven't been anywhere near my limit since,' said Facebook user, Caroline Greenhalgh Baxter.

Another user, Nicola Gargan, added: 'Remember that even if you stop the videos playing automatically now, you will possibly have to do it again each time Facebook updates, as the update seems to override the phone settings.'

Facebook told MailOnline that once a user scrolls down in their timeline, the video will also stop playing to prevent excess data changes.

MoneySavingExpert.com advised that if you believe you have been hit with unfair charges, you should contact your mobile provider and ask for a refund.