Don't shoot the Messenger

Photo Credit: Denys Prykhodov / Shutterstock.com

Facebook Messenger for mobile was originally released in 2011, and up till this week it was an optional download. Now, in order to use the messaging feature, you have to use the separate app and people are freaking out. Users are expressing their dissent with the new policy by driving the app’s rating down to a mere star in the app store, before they give in and download it. And complain though they might, it’s now the No. 1 download in the App Store. Back in December, Huffington Post alleged that the app is invasive and that Facebook had complete control over our devices. But the truth is, it’s no more invasive than any other app you’ve downloaded to your phone. Facebook has even set up a website to further explain the app permissions requested by Facebook Messenger. I have personally had Facebook Messenger on my phone for years. It’s no different than any other messenger app. It asks for permission to access your mic and camera so you can take and send both photos and videos from within the app. When you are in the regular Facebook app and hit the messenger button, it simply takes you out of the current app and into the messenger app. If you have an iPhone there is a way around using the app, but don’t expect it to be around long. I’m sure Zuckerberg & Co. are hard at work closing that loophole. Yes, it’s a pain, and people generally hate change, but having to download Facebook Messenger is not the end of the world. Until Facebook changes something again. I’m sure in a couple of weeks it will come up with a new way to piss everyone off.