Facebook Messenger App: The Terms and Conditions. Will You Be Using It? #facebook
Facebook Messenger App.
If you’re like me, you’re a daily Facebook user. While the frequent updates are frustrating, prevalent glitches and sometimes the feeling of not being heard sucks–Facebook is a free service. We can’t really complain, either we use it or we don’t.
I love Facebook, although it’s a love/hate relationship. I love that I am able to connect with friends and family and run my business (Whispered Inspirations) as well. If you’ve been on Facebook this week, you must have scrolled across statuses regarding the “new” and “faster” Facebook Messenger app.
Surprise!
I hopped onto my mobile Facebook and lo and behold, I was greeted with this beaut. I sent out a quick message to my friends and family that I will not be forced to download this app and that I’d answer messages when I could get on a computer. That I wasn’t ignoring them! The mobile FB app is intrusive as it is but, the FB Messenger app simply makes me uncomfortable.
Disclaimer: I am not trying to discourage you from downloading this app. People that have it, love it. I just want you to check out the terms and conditions and you can make your own decision. This post has no affiliation or association with Facebook. Just my two-cents.
I noticed this awhile ago when I removed this app from my Android. I actually read the terms and conditions and was shocked. The ones that I think are questionable are the following.
Terms and Conditions:
- Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity.
- Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
- Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
- Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.
- Allows the app to take pictures and vids with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
- Allows the app to read you phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.
- Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.
- Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.
- Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
- Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed.
I, for one, have made the decision to skip downloading this app. I will make do with waiting until I can get to a PC or using my browser to access them. I think most of our apps have similar privacy intrusions and we as consumers need to take the time to read them without blindly agreeing to them.
What I do mind, well, is being forced to download the app in order to be able to access my messages. I know that both apps work together but, I just liked being able to access it all in one app. Whether it’s the privacy intrusion or I don’t like change–maybe both. But, I don’t want it.
Do you use or do you refuse to use the Facebook Messenger app?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
IN no way was I ever going to download their messenger app and not reading the T&C's NEVER. I dont even use their FB app because of the adds that pop up all the time, even the ones I downloaded. I go old school and log onto FB through safari. Thanks for posting this.
That is the route many are resorting to now. The FB app is intrusive enough as it is. This one is seems even more so.
You did a great job at letting me know all the pros and cons of the app. I too will not download it though it does sound pretty interesting. I just access my messages from my laptop.
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Thanks! Yeah, that is what I have been doing. I do not feel comfortable with all that the app is given permission to do.
Hellz to the no. I am not downloading that. If I want to answer FB messages on the go I will sign in through chrome or safari app on my phone.
That is what I have been doing Nolie. LOL!
I already downloaded it. Facebook didn't give me a choice.
Yeah, I check my messages when I get on my pc or use my mobile browser.
I hadn't realized they had this app. After reading the conditions I will not be using it!
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Yes, if you try to access your messages you are prompted to download their app. I am confused to the reason why you need an app for another app.
I, for one, will not be downloading the supplemental app- I think it is wrong to force another app at users, and the permissions look funky to me!
I agree, it does seem “off” to me. So, I am skipping it.
Not that the Facebook Messenger app is recording your video or audio now, but by accepting the conditions with their "may" allows them to do it in the future without your consent. The microphone and camera on your phone, tablet or computer CAN BE TURNED ON without your consent. Me paranoid? Maybe. But it can be done. George Orwell was off by 30 years 1984 -> 2014
This one is the one that concerns me the most. It is creepy.
From what I can see, this really isn't asking for more information than the Facebook app itself asks for. I don't agree that you should have to download it but it seems to be about as dangerous as any other app you put on your smartphone. If you want to keep your information safe, you are better to not use apps on your smartphone at all.
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I agree, as I stated, FB app is already intrusive. I just do not like being forced to download an app for another app.
It seems like everytime I try to use FB on this phone they try to get me to download this app. I'll skip it for now.
That is what I am doing for now.
Wow, I had no clue… seems very shady to me. Thanks for the information
You are welcome.
If you take a look at most of the apps that are on your phone, you'll find that most of them have crazy permissions like these. I'm not sure why. All I know for sure is that my phone has never been taken over by an app before. I'm not concerned.
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Yes, a lot of them do. That is why it is always a good idea to look the T&Cs over and decide if it makes you comfortable or not. 😀
I had no idea that this app even existed. I rarely use Facebook on anything other than a computer. Given a choice, I won't be downloading.
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Ahh, I see. So it would not have much effect on you.
I had no idea that this app even existed. I rarely use Facebook on anything other than a computer. Given a choice, I won't be downloading.
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I had the app on my phone. But, after reading all about it last night I took it off.
I had it and erased it too.
I have the lowest grade Samsung and cant even download it yet I cannot see my messages from my phone now :/
Can you use your mobile browser?
This post was very informative for me. I honestly had no idea that these were the new terms and conditions. I really need to be careful before I start using this again. Thanks for the post!
You are very welcome!
I have avoided downloading the app thus far. Now it is trying to force the download when I go to my messages. I won't be installing either.
Mobile browser all the way!
I'm not comfortable with it at all, so I won't be using it with my phone. There's just something odd about the fact they want everyone to download an app all the sudden when things were working fine as they were.
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Exactly, just does not make me comfortable. So I will avoid it.
Maybe I'm naive, but I tend to think that these type of terms are there as a catch all to protect themselves. I don't think the intention is an invasion of privacy.
I think a lot of the apps we use already have these invasive T&Cs. Have you ever watched Terms and Conditions on Netflix?
I hate that I can't access both in the same app, stupid FB.
Yeah, it is super frustrating. If it isn\’t broke, do not fix it!
So far I'm a no! However, FB changes on a day to day basis so we'll see if they make changes from all the negative feedback!
I hope so!
I've heard so much about this! I haven't had to download it yet but I know that it's coming!
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They are slowly rolling it out. :S
They were talking about this on the news yesterday. No I will not use it, they said it basically takes over your phone taking pictures and making calls, etc. I want control of my social media and not social media controlling me!
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It is pretty crazy, that is for sure!
Thank you so much for the information. I just read your post to my 19 year old who has the app installed on his phone.
You are welcome! 🙂 If they have changed the T&Cs, at best, this is a great lesson to teach for kids (and adults like us) who do not read them.
I recently switched from an iPhone to the Android and downloaded this app. I didn't even think to not download it. Thanks for sharing this information.
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My pleasure, just something to think about. 😀
I refused to download the app and wont be using it. I think facebook forces us in too many ways already. No message is that important it can't wait for me to login the od fashion way. LOL
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Very true, they have tons of info already.
Great info!!!! Thanks for sharing this info.
My pleasure. 😀
Thanks for the great post, so detailed.. I have to check my phone and make sure that I don't have this APP… a little worried, but in the end.. they all have our info already… But thanks for the heads up
Very true, what concerns me is the \”listening in\” part. Not that I have anything to hide but, it is kinda creepy.
I usually log in Facebook through Safari on my phone, so I probably won't be using this app. I'll have to check it out though. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure. 😀
I am totally not happy at all! My husband NEEDS to use this to talk to me during the day and I hate the newer TOS.
Just use your mobile browser if you do not want to download. 😀
wow just wow.. thanks for the heads up on this nonesense.. I won't be using it.
While there are varying opinions, I think it is a good reminder to always check T&Cs. I for one, do not like being forced into anything. I did read these T&Cs on my Android when it asked for an update. Though now, there seems to be a tamer version released. Regardless, everyone has a choice, right?
I don't use apps from my phone. Never have really. Facebook is just one that I've only used exclusively on my laptop. I guess I just don't like using my phone for anything other than….a phone.
TBH, I don't use Facebook on my phone anyway so I wouldn't be using it.
That is good! So, it will not effect you.
I won't download it, messages will just have to wait until I get home to the computer.
no I won't be using this. I already have Whats App and communicate using that (written, voice, videos & photos) with my children and friends scattered throughout the world.
no, I don't do any messaging,I am already overwhelmed with all the social platforms, I do not have a need or want to be accessible 24/7. I go completely off line by 7pm everyday and weekends I enter my contests then I shut off everything
Great and wonderful post. Thanks for share.