The Internet community is again up in arms over Facebook, but this time because it is forcing mobile users to chat through its Messenger service; an app that has far too many permissions to access mobile tools than users are happy with.
Facebook's forced change of the way people message from within the network, announced in April, will eventually see all its users across the globe forced to migrate. This forms part of Facebook's aim to give all users a consistent and high-quality experience, Reuters reported. Facebook currently has 1.7 billion users, of which a billion access the site on a mobile device.
However, installing the app means giving Facebook permission to access several key aspects of users' handsets. Android devices, for example, give the app the right to access users' location, contacts, edit, read, receive and send SMS messages. It also can "directly call phone numbers" and read call logs as well as take pictures and videos, and record audio.
A step too far
These permissions have led to a backlash against the app, with reviews posted on the Android store saying "anyone downloading this stuff without reading the fine print [is] crazy". Others complain about being forced to download a data-intensive app that chews storage and memory space.
Blogger Nick Russo writes the site has "crossed the line" with the app, which he sees as a privacy invasion, noting he has deleted the app, refusing to use it. Bidness Etc notes "worse than the users being forced to adopt the app is the fact that the app comes with a set of draconian terms and conditions," which it adds are not applicable to iPhone users, but only those on Android - currently the most popular mobile OS.
The outrage, which has spread across the Internet, led to a clarification statement from Facebook, which notes the permissions are because of the way Android works, and not necessarily related to how the app works. The site, the world's biggest social media network, has provided examples of what it uses the permissions for:
* Take pictures and videos: This permission allows you to take photos and videos within the Messenger app to easily send to your friends and other contacts.
* Record audio: This permission allows you to send voice messages, make free voice calls, and send videos within Messenger.
* Directly call phone numbers: This permission allows you to call a Messenger contact by tapping on the person's phone number, found in a menu within your message thread with the person.
* Receive text messages: If you add a phone number to your Messenger account, this allows you to confirm your phone number by finding the confirmation code that we send via text message.
* Read your contacts: This permission allows you to add your phone contacts as Messenger contacts if you choose to do so. You can always stop syncing your phone contacts by going to your Messenger settings.
Overreaction?
Social media lawyer Paul Jacobson argues, however, that concerns around the app are overstated and this growing panic may be more a function of how Android permissions have to be obtained than a real privacy threat which many have read into those permissions.
"Whether you use Messenger should be informed by the extent to which you trust Facebook, not by the very explicit and informative permissions Facebook seeks from you in order to use Messenger."
However, in June it was revealed that Facebook had manipulated almost 700 000 users' news feeds as part of research that took place for a week in January 2012.
Jacobson adds "it is possible that Facebook may turn on your phone's camera and microphone while you are getting dressed in the morning but highly unlikely". He notes the site needs the permissions to enable Messenger to do what users want and expect it to do.
"That said, you can't be complacent and install every app on your device that seems amusing. Take the time to satisfy yourself that the app is from a credible source and look into anti-malware software for your devices."
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