Facebook's anticipated Messenger "unsend" feature is finally rolling out to users. The feature was promised seven months ago following a report revealing that Facebook had quietly removed some private messages sent by Mark Zuckerberg. The company was quiet about the project until recently; screenshots of the "unsend" option surfaced a few weeks back followed by an update preview last week.
Facebook Messenger seems to have been the victim of a multi-tiered attempt by hackers to extract private messages from victims. The information was collected over the course of months - likely near the beginning of the year 2018. Not much is known about the contents of the messages at this time, but it does appear likely that the entire cache of messages from Facebook Messenger users is real.
Facebook Messenger is getting a complete overhaul, and if you've been increasingly frustrated by how much cruft there is in the way of your chats, this new app might make you very happy. Messenger 4, the social network says, puts simplicity at the forefront, with the promise of easier navigation, cleaner designs, and more.
The Facebook Portal device MAY* collect information on your device use to inform ads on Facebook platforms. That's just one part of the equation when it comes to Facebook's latest idea for hardware. The device is a camera you set up in your home with a display to allow you to speak with Facebook friends - but, of course, it's also able to use YOU as you use make use of IT.
Facebook is testing an Unsend feature in Messenger that will enable users to "unsend" a message they've sent to others. The company first announced plans to offer this feature following controversy over some Zuckerberg messages that had quietly been deleted from recipients' accounts. Though Facebook doesn't have much to say on the matter, a pair of screenshots showing it have been published.
Your Facebook Messenger chats not chaotic enough for you? How about Facebook Group chats that may have more members than you have friends? That’s the wonderful playground Facebook users will soon be able to enjoy once the social network giant fully rolls out its new Chat for Groups feature that will let members discuss any sub-topic under the sun. Thankfully, though, Facebook will be giving users a way out of potentially going insane.
Facebook has revealed its long-rumored video calling devices, Facebook Portal and Portal+, the social network's first homegrown hardware not to mention its first entrant in the smart display space. Promising a more natural way to hold video calls between Messenger friends and family, the two new devices also feature Amazon Alexa support, taking on products like the 2nd Gen Echo Show in the process.
The US government recently failed to get wiretap access to Facebook Messenger, according to a new report. The legal spat allegedly took place in the US District Court in Fresno, California, and was sealed from the public. Sources claim the case involved suspected gang members and law enforcement's desire to monitor their communications.
Facebook is updating its Messenger Kids apps with a new feature that enables kids to add their own friends...with permission, that is. The app is a variation of Facebook Messenger designed for children, enabling parents to control every aspect of the experience. Until now, only parents could add friends for kids, but now there's a second option.
Back in December, Facebook released a new kids-focused chat app, prompting widespread criticism from child health advocates, including calls to pull the service altogether. Despite this controversy, Facebook has continued to make Messenger Kids available on iOS and Android, and has now announced the app's rollout to Canada and Peru.
Facebook's previously announced language translation AI has finally brought direct Spanish translations to the company's Messenger app. With this, users can see direct translations to and from Spanish/English without using a secondary translation tool. This is the latest step in AI-powered translations helping remove the language barrier.
It's difficult to imagine a world without Facebook - as such, Facebook is releasing video ads to Messenger. Inside Messenger, a service which already has non-video ads, users will soon be a testing ground for video advertisements of all sorts. In creeps the most eye-drawing element on the internet, and there goes our sense of privacy even further down the garbage chute.