Facebook Messenger has become a bit safer again. From now on you can add an extra layer of security, so that you can only read messages after the app has scanned your face or fingerprint. That is how it works.
Protect Facebook Messenger with Face ID or Touch ID: this is how you do that
The company announces the news via a press release. For now, App Lock, as the new feature is called, is only available for iOS. Android phones will be updated later.
App lock is to ensure that strangers do not just have to read your messages in Facebook Messenger. Before you can access the app, you must have your face or fingerprint scanned. You still have to set up App Lock.
How to protect Facebook Messenger with Face ID or Touch ID:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your iPhone;
- Go to your profile by tapping your photo in the top left of the screen;
- Scroll down and choose ‘Privacy’;
- Tap ‘App Lock’ and slide the switch so that the box turns green;
- Then indicate how strict you want to set the security.
In this last step, you indicate how often you need to reauthenticate based on your fingerprint or facial scan. You can choose 1 minute after closing Messenger, 15 minutes or after 1 hour. In step 4, depending on which model of iPhone you have, you will see the option to secure Facebook Messenger with Face ID or Touch ID.
A turbulent period for Facebook
Facebook has had turbulent years and has been improving its image for some time. During Facebook F8 2019, an annual press event, the company announced that it was making privacy its top priority.
Since then, it has become easier, among other things, to determine what you share via Facebook. The Consumers’ Association is currently instituting legal proceedings against Facebook. The consumer association is of the opinion that Facebook has violated the privacy of Dutch citizens.
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