Most people who I have talked to about the new Facebook Messenger have claimed they heard it will spy on them. So, is the new Facebook Messenger secretly capturing information from Facebook users’ mobile devices and sending it back to a remote server? Absolutely not! Ever since Fox 29 News did a story on how Facebook Messenger is able to spy on its users who have installed it, the story has gone viral, as well as the rumors. I think Fox 29 News should terminate the services of their so-called "Tech-Expert", who deliberately or I think, out of ignorance, claimed Facebook’s new Mobile Messenger is spying on its users.
The new Facebook Messenger, like all other applications, are not allowed to use features or access information on your device unless you give them access or permission. So, it will not spy on you through your mobile device’s camera, send text messages or make phone calls as it pleases. Gaining access to a device’s camera, sending text messages and making phones calls, will all have to be done with the user’s intervention.
I have heard some people claimed that the information on “App Info” page is proof that Facebook Messenger is actually spying on them. But, this is rubbish. The information on “App Info” page is only telling you what an application may be able to do, and not what an application will do.
The “App Info” page is located under the “Settings” option on devices running the Android operating system.
If you think Facebook Messenger is spying on you, you shouldn’t be using the other popular mobile applications like WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, BBM, Skype and others, because they all have the same or almost similar information on the “App Info” page, but the same people who refuse to use the new Facebook Messenger, use these applications and probably don’t have any security or privacy concerns.
Now, there is one time I can surely tell you without hesitation, is that Facebook Messenger will not spy on you; and let me tell you why. Facebook has always being under fire when it comes to privacy issues. And, allowing their Facebook Messenger to spy on their users, will definitely shut down their business.
I am concerned about my privacy online and I know how it feels when you think someone is watching your every step. If I found out that Facebook was spying on me, I would cancel my account and move to another social networking website. But, that is not the case.
Facebook is being closely watched by IT professionals in different countries all over the world, who evaluate their website and applications. So, if they slip, they will slide, meaning, if they make the simplest mistake, they will pay for it dearly.
Lastly, I do not want to say that an application spying on someone should not be taken seriously, but I think what a lot of people should be more concerned about right now, is the amount of personal and other sensitive information that they are sharing or posting on social networking websites and the rest of the internet.