Facebook is committed to providing a secure platform where people can connect with their loved ones. And in line with this, Facebook Messenger will introduce new privacy settings for the Messenger. Moreover, Facebook is also making its App Lock feature official for the Messenger to add an extra layer of security.
The newly introduced privacy settings give the users of Facebook more control over them. For instance, App Lock will make the Messenger app more secure from prying eyes. It will use the device’s in-built security settings like fingerprint or face authentication to unlock the Messenger app. On iOS devices, it will make use of the Face ID to protect the user’s data.
“App Lock uses your device’s privacy settings like fingerprint or face authentication to unlock the Messenger app, and your touch or face ID is not transmitted to or stored by Facebook,” Jay said in the official post.
New features are now available on iPhone and iPad
Notably, all these new features for the Messenger app are now live for the iPhone and iPad users. However, Android users will have to wait for a few months to get their hands on these features.
“Privacy is at the heart of Messenger – where you can be yourself with the people who matter most to you, whether that’s through a message, video chat, call, or a Messenger Room,” says Director of Product Management, Messenger Privacy and Safety, Jay Sullivan in the post.
To access new features, iPhone or iPad users can go to the new Privacy settings tab. Here, they can toggle controls like story audience, muted stories, blocked people, and tweak other Facebook-related settings.
More privacy controls coming soon
Besides, Facebook is also testing out other privacy features, which will blur images in the message requests folder. Jay Sullivan explains, “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.”
The team is also working on a new control for deciding who can call or message you directly. Users will also be able to control who can connect with them via call or message and who goes to the requests folder. Notably, the feature is similar to message controls on Instagram, which many users are familiar with.
Facebook is home to around 1.3 billion users globally. And such steps taken by the company to safeguard users’ interest should be appreciated. To learn about more ways to protect your data, you can head here.