September 3, 2014
Latest Technology In Computers
For years, the standard Facebook mobile app has worked almost identical to the web version. Mobile users could post status updates to their personal page, comment on and post to pages of friends, as well as send private messages to anyone. However, honchos at Facebook recently decided that they’d rather have a stand alone messaging app for sending and receiving private messages between users. Bright idea, huh? Not so fast.
In order to use the new Facebook mobile messaging app, users are forced to agree to a shockingly unbelievable list of Terms of Service. Here’s what Facebook wants permission to do on your phone:
– Allow the app to change the state of network connectivity. This means giving Facebook the ability to change or alter your connection to the Internet or cell service, or to turn features on your phone on and off for it’s own reasons without telling you.
– Allow the app to call phone numbers without your intervention, resulting in unexpected calls or charges. Malicious apps could potentially make calls without your confirmation.
– Allow the app to send SMS messages. This means Facebook would be able to send text messages to your contacts on your behalf.
– Allow the app to record audio with microphone. This permission would allow the Facebook app to turn on and automatically record audio at any time without your confirmation.
– Allow the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission would allow the Facebook app to turn on and automatically use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
– Allow the app to read you phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission would allow Facebook to know who you’ve been calling and how long you were speaking to them.
– Allow the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.
– Allow the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app could identify you and potentially send your profile information to others.
– Allow the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission would allow the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
– Allow the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This could include any accounts created by applications you have installed.
WOW!
If you refuse to download the new Facebook Messenger app and refuse to agree to the above Terms of Service, you will NOT be able to send anyone a Facebook private message from your mobile app ever again. Naturally, a large portion of Facebook’ers are pissed!
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| Facebook users are alerted their messages no longer work without Facebook Messenger |
Latest Technology In Computers
Facebook recently admitted that it used its members as “lab rats” via a psychological experiment on how users interact with their NewsFeed page. No wonder users are mortified.
Due to an enormous amount of backlash, Facebook was forced to respond to those who are fearful their privacy would be compromised via Facebook Messenger. In a statement, Facebook wrote:
You might have heard the rumors going around about the Messenger app. Some have claimed that the app is always using your phone’s camera and microphone to see and hear what you’re doing. These reports aren’t true, and many have been corrected.
How we actually use the camera and microphone—Like most other apps, we request permission to run certain features, such as making calls and sending photos, videos or voice messages. If you want to send a selfie to a friend, the app needs permission to turn on your phone’s camera and capture that photo. We don’t turn on your camera or microphone when you aren’t using the app.
Hmmm. Sound believable or skeptical?
Several years ago, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he wanted to see a world where privacy no longer existed. The new Facebook Messaging app seems to be a true fulfillment of his vision. No thanks. I think I’ll pass!
