facebook messenger: creepy

[Jon-of-arc]

Not sure I understand what you're saying.

I was just saying that the "look up" video was genuinely quite pertinent to my life, because I spent far too much time on my smart phone (not such a bad thing on public transport though - randoms who talk to you on buses are freaks...), but that I think the guy makes some sweeping generalisations which are probably not that relevant to most people.

 

[jeff_leigh]

I've done a quick search and can't find no other sources for this app, Are you sure it's not just a way of obtaining your name and email to send Spam/Advertising ?

 

[joustmaster]

Do people even read into the detail of these sorts of things before running down the streets screaming about the end of the world and getting people to sign petitions?

The feature works in exactly the same way as the app uses your camera, currently.

If you want to add a photo, you can press a button it switches on your camera, you take a photo, and you can include that in your post. It doesn't mean that you are constantly videoing everything your phone sees an uploading it to Facebook.

Just like If you want, you can press a button, it will switch on the mic and listen to see if it can recognise the film/tv show/song - then you can tag it in your post.

 

[pesh]

I was just saying that the "look up" video was genuinely quite pertinent to my life, because I spent far too much time on my smart phone (not such a bad thing on public transport though - randoms who talk to you on buses are freaks...), but that I think the guy makes some sweeping generalisations which are probably not that relevant to most people.

to me he just came across as a smug cunt who was far more interested in making something, anything, that would go viral, than in what he was actually preaching.

 

[spanglechick]

that video is terrible. dreadful poetry, mawkish sentiment and a ridiculous premise that stands no exploration.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Do people even read into the detail of these sorts of things before running down the streets screaming about the end of the world and getting people to sign petitions?

The feature works in exactly the same way as the app uses your camera, currently.

If you want to add a photo, you can press a button it switches on your camera, you take a photo, and you can include that in your post. It doesn't mean that you are constantly videoing everything your phone sees an uploading it to Facebook.

Just like If you want, you can press a button, it will switch on the mic and listen to see if it can recognise the film/tv show/song - then you can tag it in your post.

Well, not quite. If you have the feature activated, for the entire time you are composing any post, the mic will be on.

 

[spanglechick]

Well, not quite. If you have the feature activated, for the entire time you are composing any post, the mic will be on.

not the same as it listening to all your phone calls though, is it?

 

[joustmaster]

Well, not quite. If you have the feature activated, for the entire time you are composing any post, the mic will be on.

OK. Thats a fair correction.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

not the same as it listening to all your phone calls though, is it?

No, that's just internet balls (spread I imagine mostly over Facebook).

The FB app _could_ of course be listening in to you constantly, at least on Android, but they wouldn't exactly announce it.

 

[joustmaster]

No, that's just internet balls (spread I imagine mostly over Facebook).

The FB app _could_ of course be listening in to you constantly, at least on Android, but they wouldn't exactly announce it.

It would fuck my data usage

 

[editor]

So uninstalled it's untrue. Here's what their shitty app can do:

 

[joustmaster]

So uninstalled it's untrue. Here's what their shitty app can do:

Those things mostly seem right for an app that aims to be a messanger app.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

So uninstalled it's untrue. Here's what their shitty app can do:

Its a fucking horrible app, just by design and pointlessness. But I assumed it did all of that stuff anyway.

 

[editor]

Those things mostly seem right for an app that aims to be a messanger app.

Record audio without asking? Make calls without asking?

 

[joustmaster]

Record audio without asking? Make calls without asking?

yes its the same as something like Skype, for instance.

You press a button in the app and it lets you record sound or take a picture. If you didn't have this permission, then android would have to get involved each time.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

Record audio without asking? Make calls without asking?

Its a bit weird that it can do that. It probably won't, though. Does it not just need these permissions so that it doesn't have to specifically ask you if you use it to make a call or send a voice message?

 

[joustmaster]

Its a bit weird that it can do that. It probably won't, though. Does it not just need these permissions so that it doesn't have to specifically ask you if you use it to make a call or send a voice message?

Yes. Thats the sort of thing.
Like when you do something with an application in Windows, and occasional Windows UAC pops up and asks if you want to give admin access to that app..
Or you can just give that app admin rights to start with.

 

[editor]

The point you're missing though is that people don't want to install this app. It's been forced on them by Facebook.

 

[joustmaster]

The point you're missing though is that people don't want to install this app. It's been forced on them by Facebook.

no it hasn't.
people have the choice to use facebook via a webpage, without the message part of the app, or not at all.

 

[editor]

no it hasn't.
people have the choice to use facebook via a webpage, without the message part of the app, or not at all.

Yes it has. If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app a message comes up telling them they have to install messenger to access messages from now on.

It's a new thing that's been foisted on users with features most don't want.

And if they choose to use the website version instead them they don't get any notifications.

 

[joustmaster]

Yes it has. If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app a message comes up telling them they have to install messenger to access messages from now on.

It's a new thing that's been foisted on users with features most don't want.

And if they choose to use the website version instead them they don't get any notifications.

You're a fucking idiot.

 

[editor]

You're a fucking idiot.

It's not my fault that you haven't got a clue what you're talking about.

 

[joustmaster]

It's not my fault that you haven't got a clue what you're talking about.

I have been working in network and application security for 15 years.

No one is being forced to do anything. People can still use Facebook without it. The permissions are run of the mill, for that sort of thing.


You're a fucking idiot.

 

[isvicthere?]

So uninstalled it's untrue. Here's what their shitty app can do:

Thanks for that, Editor. Like you, I'm an "idiot" who thinks the foregoing is not OK.

 

[Orang Utan]

The Facebook app is rubbish on phones anyway (and a power drain). The browser version is much better and easier to use anyway. Much like forum apps like Tapatalk, the Facebook app is an entirely unnecessary internet product.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Yes it has. If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app a message comes up telling them they have to install messenger to access messages from now on.

It's a new thing that's been foisted on users with features most don't want.

And if they choose to use the website version instead them they don't get any notifications.

Facebook is free. You don't have to use it. Nothing is forced on anybody.

 

[ddraig]

did you miss this bit bees? "If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app"

 

[Orang Utan]

did you miss this bit bees? "If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app"

Then don't use the app!

 

[ddraig]

i don't!!

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

did you miss this bit bees? "If users want to keep on getting the full Facebook service via an app"

Then it's just tough shit. It's free, it's their rules. People have nothing to complain about.