I know many of you are panicked about the what seems to be a recent article claiming that the new Facebook messenger app is spyware and will violate all your privacy and will take pictures of you, record you and send them into space etc etc. But please stop perpetuating what is arguably one of the WORST pieces of journalism I have ever seen - they are actually just copying/pasting from a 2013 article from a technophobe who read the messenger terms of use. Just to put it into perspective, almost ANY app you use on your smartphone that is used to communicate with other people (like Viber, Whatsapp, Skype, FB Messenger) or any app that record pics or videos and shares them (like Instagram, pinterest, FB, etc) needs to be able to access your wireless/com setup (so that if youre trying to communicate but your phone is on airplane mode, it can understand what mode youre in and then suggest turning it off), needs to be able to access your camera and album (so that you can actually record and send directly from the app), needs access to the microphone (to record any sound or interact with voice response), read your contacts and call log so that you can interact more seamlessly between your contact list and frequently called numbers. Think about it people. This is how apps deliver the seamless user experience that you all like. If you are that much of a technophobe and a sudden privacy advocate, my suggestion is that you stop using everything - yes, your PC, your tablet, your phone, your email, your favorite browser, shut off your cable box, disconnect your phone and GO OFF THE GRID. And for gods sake, please stop perpetuating urban myths.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 14:19:24 +0000