YouCanLearnThis.com

Useful Tech Tips for Non-Techies

  • Home
  • Useful Tech Tips
  • Tech News
  • iPhone Photography
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What You Need To Know About Safety Concerns With Messenger

By iPad Pete 3 Comments

Communication is a basic human need and that need still holds true well into the digital age. But security experts are now raising the red flag over Facebook’s Messenger service.

If you have an iPhone, there is a good chance that you have at least 2 to 3 messaging apps on your phone minimum. You have your usual SMS and then you have your Messenger and even WhatsApp.

You could also have your email on your phone for more formal communication for work or your business. But safety concerns are growing over one messaging app in particular – Messenger.

Facebook’s Messenger

Facebook is not new to issues that surround its business model. From their humble beginnings in Harvard to now a global company with almost 3 billion active users, they have had their own share of challenges.

One of the more recent is the data leak they believed happened in 2019 where 533 million Facebook user’s data were leaked online. Now, their Messenger service is also taking a lot of criticism.

As a quick background – Messenger used to be Facebook Chat prior to 2011. Facebook switched it up as a stand-alone messaging app independent of a Facebook account. The most pressing issue with Facebook’s Messenger is the fact that their security is loose. Even the company itself admitted the fact that Messenger conversations could be monitored. 

WhatsApp Security

The lax security is in stark contrast with that of WhatsApp. The messaging app uses end-to-end encryption that not even the company can read up on your conversation. The clincher – Facebook also owns WhatsApp. Well, that was when they acquired it in February 2014 for a whopping $19 billion! But the encryption has not yet rippled out to the Messenger service.

The Dilemma

With Facebook being the parent company for both Messenger and WhatsApp, doesn’t it make business sense to offer better security for both? This comes at the heels of a warning because essential Messenger security updates are yet to be released. This affects about 1.3 billion Messenger users across the globe.

It would be interesting to note that Facebook even promised to bring the security of WhatsApp over to Messenger in 2019 during the acquisition. But that promise has yet to materialize. But there could be a valid reason behind it. One of the biggest arguments is the need to protect children from harm when using Messenger. It would be challenging if messages are encrypted end-to-end like WhatsApp.

Balancing act for Facebook

On one end, you need to provide security for messaging services to give users peace of mind. But the same security warrants some level of access for law enforcement to help protect users as well. This is a tight rope act for Facebook. Without access, adults might endanger and even groom kids and hide behind encryption to avoid arrest.

The company even said that they are building stronger safety measures to mitigate harm to users, especially minors, and even allow certain controls to respond if they do get in trouble. 

What to do

This is a dilemma not only for Facebook but for you, as users as well. Do you delete Messenger and opt for end-to-end encryption offered by WhatsApp? Here are a few points you can consider to help you decide.

  • You can choose to use WhatsApp when you want to talk to family and friends. This helps protect your conversation with an end-to-end encryption
  • Opt for Messenger when you are interacting for your business or reaching out to a brand or a page. This makes it efficient rather than bringing the conversation over to an encrypted platform. Just be cautious not to talk about sensitive information like passwords or financial data.

Share this post to help keep your friends informed on this issue by using the Share Buttons below. I really appreciate you helping spread the word about my Free Daily iPhone Tips! 🙂

Related Posts:

  1. Share What’s On Your Screen with Facebook Messenger We share a lot of information with friends and family over Facebook, especially using Messenger. To maintain its position as one of the most widely used instant messaging platforms, Messenger...
  2. How to Find Photos & Videos Shared in Messaging Apps Whether you’re trying to remember that hilarious meme you sent to your friends last week or you want to find that photo of your new puppy that you sent to...
  3. iPhone’s Privacy vs Facebook Apple takes privacy seriously, and while its drive for increased user protection gives users control of their data, it may have unforeseen consequences on a wide range of businesses. Beginning...
  4. Facebook Warning: These Apps are Stealing Passwords – Are You Affected? Meta has notified around a million users that they may have been put at risk by over 400 malicious apps that steal your Facebook password. The notifications aim to inform...

Filed Under: Features, Useful Tech Tips

Comments

  1. CAROLIN says

    at

    Thanks for sharing this info. For years I have advised my FB friends that I do not look at videos or click on links sent to me in Messenger as it seems to be a breeding ground for hackers.

    Reply
  2. Maddie says

    at

    Great info!!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Gloria Rudacille says

    at

    How do I stop people from getting on my Messenger that I don’t recognize?
    I Blocked it and undo Facebook!
    HELP,

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Tech Tips

Block Pop-Ups on Your iPhone Safari Browser

How to Block Pop-Ups on Your iPhone Safari Browser

Useful Siri Commands

7 Most Useful Siri Commands Everyone Should Know

iPhone iOS 16.3 Update Features

New iPhone Features and Fixes Released in iOS 16.3

PayPal Hit By Credential Stuffing Attack – Find Out What You Should Do Now!

How to Remove Your Personal Information from Google Searches

AirTag Saves Dog from Floodwaters

Netflix Cracking Down on Password Sharing

Is the Cloud Safe for Personal Information?

Scam Alert: Amazon Delivers Dog Food Instead of iPhone

Save Money on Streaming with This Simple Trick

Elon Musk Sets New World Record (And It’s Not a Good Thing)

Can Anyone Access Your iPhone While You Sleep? (Check This Hidden Setting!)

About · Contact Us · Get Free Daily Tech Tips
Copyright © 2023 · YouCanLearnThis.com