Facebook’s Messenger app, a widely used platform for communication. During the coronavirus lockdowns, the usage of the Messenger app has further increased, and more users are using the app to share words with their loved ones. While people love this app, they also demand enhanced security and privacy. To make users’ wish come true, Facebook is testing new lock options for the Messenger app on iOS. You will soon be able to unlock your Facebook Messenger app via touch ID and face ID.
Matt Navarra, a social media app researcher, shared screenshots on Twitter that the social media platform is now rolling out touch ID and Face ID lock options for the iOS version of the Messenger app. However, it is expected that Android users will soon be able to use the new features.
The new options will stop individuals from additionally snooping on your chats in the Messenger app. After you have enabled the new lock options, you can choose how long it takes before the app needs to be unlocked again with a face ID or touch ID. You can choose a specific period that can be either be one minute or one hour before the authentication is required or you can also define whether the authorization will always be required when someone opens the Messenger app.
The new features do not work for individual chats, and if the social media app adds such options, it will give relief to many users. The new lock options will add an extra layer of security to Messenger chats. Another user also shared a video on Twitter of the process in action on opening the Messenger app.
As reported by Engadget, the social media platform has been working on new features over the past few months. Engadget shared screenshots of the in-development feature early last month. The new addition is in line with the company’s gradual shift towards enhancing messaging security. The company plans to eventually enable end-to-end encryption as the default setting for all its messaging applications.
Facebook’s plan to enable end-to-end encryption has come under intense scrutiny by many government agencies. The government agencies believe that this plan will facilitate increased criminal activity in Facebook’s messaging applications. Several authorities have already raised concerns over end-to-end encryption in Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app.
But the company seems to be determined to push ahead its plan, and while locking your Messenger is a smaller element in this broader plan, the addition to the Messenger app is another indicator of user demand for more security and privacy, with their personal interactions. You may also note that the already existing ‘Secret’ chat mode in Messenger is entirely encrypted.
Update: Facebook officially introduced the Messenger app lock and new privacy settings in a blog post. "App Lock lets you add another layer of security to your private messages and helps prevent other people from accessing them.", announced Jay Sullivan, Director of Product Management, Messenger Privacy and Safety. Adding further, "This optional feature gives you the confidence to know that if a friend or family member needs to borrow your phone, they won’t be able to access your chats." Sullivan also explained that its team is working on several other features, he stated in a blog post that "We’re working on new controls so you can decide who can message or call you directly, who goes to your requests folder, and who can’t message or call you at all. This will be similar to the message controls on Instagram, and we’ll share more details when we start testing these controls.", announcing further. "We’re also exploring more ways to protect your privacy and safety when someone you don’t know sends you a message. We’ll be testing a feature similar to what exists on Instagram and WhatsApp that blurs images in your message requests folder. This way, you have the choice to view an image from someone you may not know before replying to the message or blocking or reporting the account."
Read next: Facebook’s Oversight Board Gets Ultimatum from Tech Watchdog
Matt Navarra, a social media app researcher, shared screenshots on Twitter that the social media platform is now rolling out touch ID and Face ID lock options for the iOS version of the Messenger app. However, it is expected that Android users will soon be able to use the new features.
The new options will stop individuals from additionally snooping on your chats in the Messenger app. After you have enabled the new lock options, you can choose how long it takes before the app needs to be unlocked again with a face ID or touch ID. You can choose a specific period that can be either be one minute or one hour before the authentication is required or you can also define whether the authorization will always be required when someone opens the Messenger app.
The new features do not work for individual chats, and if the social media app adds such options, it will give relief to many users. The new lock options will add an extra layer of security to Messenger chats. Another user also shared a video on Twitter of the process in action on opening the Messenger app.
As reported by Engadget, the social media platform has been working on new features over the past few months. Engadget shared screenshots of the in-development feature early last month. The new addition is in line with the company’s gradual shift towards enhancing messaging security. The company plans to eventually enable end-to-end encryption as the default setting for all its messaging applications.
Facebook’s plan to enable end-to-end encryption has come under intense scrutiny by many government agencies. The government agencies believe that this plan will facilitate increased criminal activity in Facebook’s messaging applications. Several authorities have already raised concerns over end-to-end encryption in Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app.
But the company seems to be determined to push ahead its plan, and while locking your Messenger is a smaller element in this broader plan, the addition to the Messenger app is another indicator of user demand for more security and privacy, with their personal interactions. You may also note that the already existing ‘Secret’ chat mode in Messenger is entirely encrypted.
Update: Facebook officially introduced the Messenger app lock and new privacy settings in a blog post. "App Lock lets you add another layer of security to your private messages and helps prevent other people from accessing them.", announced Jay Sullivan, Director of Product Management, Messenger Privacy and Safety. Adding further, "This optional feature gives you the confidence to know that if a friend or family member needs to borrow your phone, they won’t be able to access your chats." Sullivan also explained that its team is working on several other features, he stated in a blog post that "We’re working on new controls so you can decide who can message or call you directly, who goes to your requests folder, and who can’t message or call you at all. This will be similar to the message controls on Instagram, and we’ll share more details when we start testing these controls.", announcing further. "We’re also exploring more ways to protect your privacy and safety when someone you don’t know sends you a message. We’ll be testing a feature similar to what exists on Instagram and WhatsApp that blurs images in your message requests folder. This way, you have the choice to view an image from someone you may not know before replying to the message or blocking or reporting the account."
Read next: Facebook’s Oversight Board Gets Ultimatum from Tech Watchdog
