TORONTO — Facebook has launched a new feature in Canada that allows mobile users to claim discounts through smartphones by "checking in" while they are shopping at certain stores.

AMC Theatres, Chapters Indigo, H&M, Joe Fresh and Telus are among the companies that have signed up for the beta launch of Facebook Deals, which is now active.

If users are at a store offering a deal, they can use their phone to "check-in" through an app or Facebook's website, and then show a cashier an onscreen coupon to get the discount.

By default, a message will pop up on the user's profile announcing the check-in, although those messages can be hidden with privacy settings.

Users can also search the nearby vicinity to see what other retailers are offering deals through Facebook.

Facebook says no personal information is shared with businesses.

Demographical information like age and sex is given to businesses, however, if the sample size of buyers is large enough to not identify users.