Facebook announced a new messaging feature that will allow users to message and share information between Instagram and Messenger. Facebook Newsroom posted the Cross-App Communication feature on its Twitter handle.
Let us take a look at how this new messaging feature will work and how Facebook will deal with the Privacy challenges.
Search enabled across Instagram and Messenger
With this new update one can search for accounts across Instagram and Messenger. The search results like before will display the account info and the basic details for both private and public accounts. The private accounts will be visible to only friends and followers.
Data-collection an ad suggestions
Facebook has reiterated that the content of chats which will not be used for customizing ad suggestions. Rather it will collect data just for improving the product service, and maintain the security of user data and protect sensitive information. It has promised that strict adherence to its privacy policy will be maintained.
Enhanced user controls to regulate contacts
The new Messenger feature will be available to any new Instagram user or people using Messenger. You don’t require a Facebook account to access this new feature. More controls have been granted to the user to regulate who can reach out to them and how. Let’s see how this will play out:
New privacy settings allow you to determine who,
- Gains access to your chat list
- Can access your Message Request Folder
- And who is prohibited from calling or messaging you
To give an example, somebody on Instagram can block certain people from Facebook from sending messages to him.
Also, there is the option of the new “Accounts Center” which helps you to manage who all can reach out to you across various apps.
A “Safety notice” is flagged in Messenger in case you observe suspicious activity and want to report it. These notices can come in very handy for minor users of Messenger and Instagram. Although the safety notice is yet to be rolled out on Instagram, Facebook has stated that it will be released soon and provided to minors first.
The usual options of reporting or blocking someone who makes you feel uncomfortable is still there.
One thing to keep in mind is that blocking is still limited to a single account on a single platform. Blocking one account will not result in blocking other accounts held by that person in the same or other platforms. The Accounts Center will provide you with suggestions to block someone just like we receive friend suggestions now.
