Does Facebook Messenger Really Want to Access Your Life?

There has been a lot of uproar about Facebook's most recent mandatory update to Facebook Messenger on the Mobile platform. Some are upset about the fact that the messaging portion of the app worked fine and there's no reason to have two apps for Facebook, the other is the privacy settings. Let's clear some things up.

Why Facebook Messenger vs Messages?

Like all instant messaging apps, Facebook wanted their users to have a cleaner and more intuitive experience. With the Facebook Messenger app, now you can send and receive messages much quicker than you could before. It's not about just messages either, you can now make phone calls via cellular data or Wi-Fi. This takes the heavy load off the regular Facebook app and enhances your experience.

Now, there are many other apps that do this very well such as What's App, BBM, Google Hangouts. Facebook is just trying to fit in.

Privacy

 Everyone is FREAKING out about the new privacy settings on the Facebook Messenger app. A majority of these permissions are mandatory in order for the app to function properly. Let's review.



Access to Microphone - This allows you to make phone calls and it also allows you to use dictation or speech text for messaging. No one is listening to your conversation.

Access to Camera - This allows the app granted permissions to access your personal photos and videos so you can send them to another person in your contact list. NOT to post your pictures online for the world to see.

Access to Contacts/Phone Logs - Facebook messenger is looking to replace the need to use the phone portion of your phone, so accessing Phone logs and Contacts saves you the need to switch in between apps.

Rest assured, Facebook is not looking to spy on you by reading your conversations or take pictures of you while you're sleeping, but they can however track your cookies to record data for advertising purposes. Still not ok with that? Turn on private browsing. It will ensure you aren't leaving a digital footprint of your activity.

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