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Messenger app users worry how Facebook uses a device's phone, camera

  • 12 August 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 18 views
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By Matt HamblenAugust 12, 2014 06:30 AM ET
  • The following article is a update on Facebook disabling messaging in main mobile app orig posted by BB613- 2 weeks ago
  • ==========================================================================================
 Computerworld - Facebook ignited a flood of criticism last week when it began requiring mobile users to load its Messenger app for Android and iOS separate from its basic Facebook app.
Some users complained about having to use the separate app to send messages, photos or videos to their friends. Other users were concerned that the Messenger app stinks of Orwellian 1984-style invasions of privacy.
http://www.computerworld.com/common/images/site/features/2014/08/FB_messenger_app.pngA permissions page when loading the Messenger app on a Galaxy S5 Sport smartphone includes a popup warning that the app is allowed to use the camera at any time without the user's confirmation. (Image: Screenshot)Concerned users claim the app could give Facebook the use of their phones and tablets to take photos and to make phone calls without their specific approval. "Beware!" wrote user Rasikh J on Saturday in a review of the app in the Google Play store. On Thursday, a user identified as G Kay wrote in the iOS App Store about the app: "What Facebook can do through this app scares the crap out of me...They can access my microphone, camera and contacts.''
The truth of how the Messenger app uses a device's phone and camera is apparently far less insidious than many have thought, according to Facebook.
 
ComputerWorld/ Full Article Here/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9250303/Messenger_app_users_worry_how_Facebook_uses_a_device_s_phone_camera

1 reply

DanP
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Ugh. I was hoping I wouldn't see a post about this on here. While the Computerworld article isn't the complete FUD that the Huffington Post article is, that they don't know how to use a scroll bar is a bit concerning. They provide a link and instructions on how to view the permissions, then state that "the Android permissions listed don't even mention the phone or camera" and refer to only the permissions that you see if you don't scroll down through the permissions window. Wow, just.. wow.
 
The Facebook Messenger app is no more of a Privacy concern than Facebook itself, just check the permissions for the Facebook app itself (remember to use the scroll bar to look through all of the permissions) which are almost identical to the permissions for the Facebook Messenger app.
 
Androidcentral has a good rebuttal to the HP article that also runs through all of the permissions used by Facebook Messenger: http://www.androidcentral.com/facebook-messenger-permissions-not-scary-stories-might-have-you-believe
 
-Dan
 
 
 
 
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