The latest update also gives Facebook the ability to read picture messages.
It must be noted that the update began its gradual rollout to mobile devices at the end of 2013. It has since been accompanied by complaints from majority of users citing its invasion of privacy issue.
However, Facebook counters the same by claiming the feature is used to help sync users’ phone numbers to their Facebook accounts. This in turn allows the app to automatically scan users' message inboxes for the confirmation code Facebook sends in a text for verification. “We realise some of these permissions sound scary, so we’d like to provide more info about how we use them,” Facebook wrote on its official app permissions page. The Android platform does not currently allow for the app to just look for a specific message or type of message, hence Facebook needs access to the entire message inbox since it doesn't have an alternative; claims Facebook.
Meanwhile, the update also allows Facebook to have access to users' call logs, contacts, messages. It also provides the ability to see other apps downloaded to their phones.
| In a clear breach of privacy, popular social media platform, Facebook's latest app update for Android devices allows the same to read the users' text messages. Reddit user Tony.Calileo.com noticed the change in the 'App permissions' after downloading Facebook’s latest mobile update and posted a screenshot of the same highlighting “New: Read your text messages (SMS or MMS)”. The fresh update visibly gives Facebook the ability to read both text and picture messages. |  |
It must be noted that the update began its gradual rollout to mobile devices at the end of 2013. It has since been accompanied by complaints from majority of users citing its invasion of privacy issue.
However, Facebook counters the same by claiming the feature is used to help sync users’ phone numbers to their Facebook accounts. This in turn allows the app to automatically scan users' message inboxes for the confirmation code Facebook sends in a text for verification. “We realise some of these permissions sound scary, so we’d like to provide more info about how we use them,” Facebook wrote on its official app permissions page. The Android platform does not currently allow for the app to just look for a specific message or type of message, hence Facebook needs access to the entire message inbox since it doesn't have an alternative; claims Facebook.
Meanwhile, the update also allows Facebook to have access to users' call logs, contacts, messages. It also provides the ability to see other apps downloaded to their phones.
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