Facebook’s Messenger app wants all of your mobile personal info

[Regulator75]

We shouldn't be too shocked by this, but I think they've gone a bit too far.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technol...ml?id=10079532

Facebook’s Messenger app, which will soon be the only way to use the social media platform’s popular messaging service, apparently wants access to a great deal of the personal information stored on your smartphone.

Below is a small selection of privacy concerns you likely clicked through without reading when you first downloaded the application (because who reads those anyways):

Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed.
Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.

[BlackArcher101]

Most apps on Android want permissions for the same things?

[nik-]

I've never seen an app want the ability to make calls and send texts. So saying "most" is likely pretty inaccurate

[Kjesse]

This is why I'm scared to buy an oculus rift.

[flamesfan6]

Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.

yep, reason 1 of many why I'm never using this app

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by nik-

I've never seen an app want the ability to make calls and send texts. So saying "most" is likely pretty inaccurate

Google Hangouts does iirc. All this is saying is that if there is the phone number of the person in the chat program and you click that you want to call them, the app can call them. If people want a third party app that can send texts, make phone calls, send picture messages and access your facebook account none of these requests are that shocking.

I am not really surprised with any of the items the app is looking for.

[PsYcNeT]

What kind of dark secrets are you people hiding.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

yep, reason 1 of many why I'm never using this app

Every text or messenger app with the ability to take a picture and attach it to a message will have this permission

[Resolute 14]

Like Boblobla, I think a lot of the permission requests are reasonable on the surface, and if it was any company other than Facebook, I would question whether the story author was inventing demons. However, since it is Facebook, they become valid concerns as the company's history with respect to privacy and information is dramatically poor. This concern is enhanced because the app is completely unnecessary. The messenger integrated within the Facebook app itself (and you've already given that app most of these permissions) was sufficient. We very much should be asking why Facebook wants to force us into this separate app, because the answer is not at all likely to be in our benefit.

[GGG]

Why is this any differnt than the current facebook app?

The current facebook app on Android already has the following permissions

Read phone stats and identify
take pictures and videos
record audio
percise location
modify your contacts
read call log
read your contacts
write call log
modify or delete contents of USB storage
add or remove accounts
create accounts and set passwords
find accounts on the device
full network access
recieve data from the internet
view network and wifi connections
Etc etc

The only two new things appear the apps ability to make calls and send texts which is what the purpose of the messenger app is. So if you already have the facebook app installed on your phone you should not be anymore concerned about the messenger app.

This is not to say that the facebook app doesn't have its own privacy issues that extend to the new app just that Facebooks new policy switch forcing you to use messenger doesn't change your privacy risk.

[Galakanokis]

Just a reason why running a custom ROM or xposed on stock is worth it if you worry about these things. You can deny access to all those permissions if you so chose.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Just a reason why running a custom ROM or xposed on stock is worth it if you worry about these things. You can deny access to all those permissions if you so chose.

But mommy, my Facebook app doesn't actually do anything anymore!

Facebook sucks!

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Rathji

But mommy, my Facebook app doesn't actually do anything anymore!

Facebook sucks!

Truer words have never been spoken.

[chemgear]

So have they completely stripped the ability to see messages in the original app now?

[Resolute 14]

Yup.

[Regulator75]

Damn greasy buggers.