Facebook Messenger
|
Facebook Messenger is an instant messaging tool implicated through Facebook. It is a part of Facebook but now requires its own separate app in order to use. There are many other messaging applications competing with Facebook Messenger. Facebook Messenger has started incorporating different tools such as the microphone and location sharing that are causing privacy concerns from users.
Contents
What is it
Facebook “chat” was first released on Facebook in 2011. This chat service was part of Facebook and could be accessed by entering the social media platform via phone or computer. In April 2014, Facebook changed the name from “chat” to Facebook Messenger and created a separate application for devices. In order to access the Facebook Messaging platforms from a mobile device, the Messenger app must be downloaded.[1]
By 2015 about 600 million Facebook users utilized this new Messenger platform.[2] By 2016 the algorithm for Facebook Messenger changed to a chat box at the bottom of one’s screen. In 2017, Facebook relaunched the design of Facebook Messenger for Android and iOS users. This included a new home screen to allowed for organization through tabs of categories and content and also red dots indicating unopened activity.
Features
Location Sharing
Facebook Messenger has a variety of different features. In 2017 Facebook Messenger introduced “Live Location,” This feature allows users to share their location with other users.[3] Any user may choose to click the location button to show themselves on a map. Users can share their locations with friends or groups of friends for certain amounts of time.[4]
Microphone Access
Facebook Messenger incorporated the microphone for different uses. Starting in 2013 voice calling was introduced. This allowed for international calling utilizing WiFi in 2015. Later that year, group video calling for up to 50 people was enabled.
Photos and videos utilizing the microphone can be taken on the Messenger app to automatically send to other users for free. The microphone started being used more for voice messages. Facebook Messenger gives users the option to record their voice and send as the message.[5]
User Trends
In 2014, 200 million users were on Facebook Messenger. By 2015, when the app was separated from Facebook, Facebook Messenger had 600 million users. In July, of 2016 the 1 billion mark was hit and was last reported at 1.2 billion users in April 2017. [6]
Competitors
Ethical concerns (Privacy)
Facebook Messenger, similarly to it’s competitors and has privacy concerns. However, Facebook Messenger’s privacy policy link takes you directly to Facebook’s privacy policy, page, there is no separation.
Microphone
Location Sharing
References
- ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/6/7170791/mark-zuckerberg-finally-explains-why-he-forced-you-to-download-the
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariyayao/2017/10/12/from-gloom-to-glam-the-evolution-of-facebook-messenger-chatbots/#7cd1006c3abd
- ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/27/how-to-share-live-location-in-facebook-messenger.html
- ↑ https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2017/03/introducing-live-location-in-messenger/
- ↑ https://www.messenger.com/features
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/558283/number-of-fb-messenger-users-usa/
