Facebook Messenger's 'self-destructing messages' cause controversy

Meta has just added a new update to its Messenger messaging platform. One of the most notable changes is the "self-destructing messages" feature and screenshot notifications to the other person.

Messages self-destruct in 24 hours

The self-destructing message feature is "hidden" in Meta's settings. Users have to go to "Privacy and support" to activate it. This feature is located right under the "end-to-end encryption" section, which caused a lot of controversy when it was first launched.

According to information from Meta, the new feature will allow messages to "disappear after 24 hours, from the time they are sent". In addition, in this mode, the application will also send notifications to the other person if the user takes a photo or records the screen in the chat.

In addition, the content of the message can still be complained and reported within 6 hours from the time of cancellation. When activating this mode, the conversation interface will continue, the user will receive a notification that "the self-destructing message feature has been enabled".

Steps to enable self-destructing messages on Facebook Messenger

To activate the self-destructing message feature, users need to update the Messenger application to the latest version. Then go to any conversation with friends -> Settings -> Self-destructing Message Feature -> 24 hours. In default mode, this feature will be in "Off" state and only work when the user switches to the "24 hours" option.

The self-destructing message interface is also a little different. After each message line, there will be a countdown timer showing the remaining time before the message is destroyed.

This isn’t the first time Meta has added the “secret messaging” feature to Messenger. Previously, the platform allowed users to send one-time messages and set a time for deletion. After several tests, the company has now rolled out the feature to a wider audience.

Messenger "transparent" version

Another feature that many users pay attention to is the notification when the other person takes a screenshot. Actual experience shows that when activating the self-destructing message mode, the application will send a notification to the user if the other person takes a photo or records the screen. Meanwhile, on the laptop or PC version, users can still take screenshots using the default tool on the device but will not be "detected".

The feature of notifying when someone in a chat takes a screenshot is already available on many secure messaging apps like Telegram. However, on Facebook Messenger, this feature is still a controversial topic.

The online community is divided.

After experiencing the new upgrade of Messenger, the online community is having a lot of controversy about the new features. While some people are excited and support the self-destructing message feature, many people think that Meta is aiding in dirty purposes.

"If you are talking normally and have nothing to hide, there is no need to self-destruct messages after chatting. Only when you want to do something bad should you turn on this feature," said Thuy Lien, an office worker in Ho Chi Minh City.

Messenger will display a notification if the other person takes a screenshot or records the screen.

Meanwhile, experts warn that the self-destruct feature could become a tool for scammers. Many people believe that messages exchanged and borrowed assets can be saved on Messenger as evidence when needed, so they should be subjective and not take photos. If the scammer intentionally turns on this feature while the other person is not paying attention, after 24 hours, the evidence of previous exchanges will automatically disappear without a trace. Therefore, this feature also poses many risks if the user is not careful. Not to mention, in some cases, users accidentally turn on the self-destruct feature but forget to turn it off, causing many important contents to be lost, thereby causing many unnecessary troubles.

The screenshot notification feature, while making conversations transparent, can also be the reason why many people leave the platform. "Sometimes I just take screenshots to save them, not to gossip about them with other groups. But if at any time I take a photo, the other side also receives a notification, the conversation will fall into confusion," said Tung Minh, a creative specialist for a fashion brand in Hanoi.

According to Minh, taking screenshots is not always to badmouth others. Sometimes users just want to save information or evidence to protect themselves, but being "too transparent" will make Messenger lose its naturalness.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tin-nhan-tu-huy-cua-facebook-messenger-gay-tranh-cai-185241129231320163.htm