If you want to send direct messages via Facebook with your smartphone, you should use Messenger.

Facebook Messenger also wants to manage SMS at the same time. Our cooperation partner checked4you will explain to you which tricks can help.

the essentials in brief

  • On the mobile site https://mbasic.facebook.com you can manage your Facebook messages without the app.
  • The messenger app requires numerous access permissions.
  • Messages can be read without encryption.

Anyone who writes direct messages to friends via Facebook should actually only use Messenger. As early as May 2014, the social network began removing direct messages from the app and making them only sent and received via Messenger. Two years later, the mobile website m.facebook.com was also introduced.

[mk_ad]

The messenger is its own app. Not only does it require a lot of permissions, but sometimes it also becomes the default program for SMS and MMS when installed. This can be reversed in a few steps (see below).

If you don't want to use Messenger, you can use the following trick on your smartphone, tablet or PC:

With a different URL it still works without forced messenger

You can access the mobile Facebook page for classic cell phones at https://mbasic.facebook.com It doesn't look as stylish, but it works like the app. After logging in, you will find the “Messages” link in the bar at the top. On the desktop PC you can open a second tab in your browser and use the normal Facebook page in one tab and the news in the other tab.

Individual smartphone users report that the old messaging function no longer exists on mbasic.facebook.com (see comments below). We can still access the news today using different smartphones, operating systems and browsers.

Of course, you could also simply use another messenger. You can find an overview on the NRW consumer advice center

Facebook Messenger demands many rights

The forced installation of the messenger is sharply criticized in numerous reviews of the app in Google's Play Store. But there is also bullying because the list of required access permissions is long. This is what it looked like in the Play Store on January 2, 2020:

  • calendar
    • Read calendar entries and details
  • camera
    • Take pictures and videos
  • contacts
    • Read contacts
    • Find accounts on the device
    • Change contacts
  • Location
    • Access approximate location (network based)
    • Access precise location (GPS and network based)
  • microphone
    • Record audio

[mk_ad]

  • phone
    • Call phone numbers directly
    • Get phone status and identity
  • SMS
    • Read SMS or MMS
    • Receive SMS
    • Send and retrieve SMS
    • Receive MMS
  • Storage
    • Read USB storage contents
    • Change or delete USB storage contents
  • Miscellaneous
    • Download files without notification
    • Disable hibernation
    • Retrieve WiFi connections
    • Get internet data
    • Google Play Billing Service
    • Connect and disconnect Wi-Fi connections
    • Access all networks
    • Read sync settings
    • Access Bluetooth settings
    • App can appear on top of other apps
    • Control near field communication
    • Run at startup
    • Make calls through the system
    • Get network connections
    • Use fingerprint hardware
    • Install shortcuts
    • Read Google service configuration
    • Control vibration alarm
    • Enable or disable sync
    • Change network connectivity
    • Play Install Referrer API
    • Change audio settings
    • Pair with Bluetooth devices

In addition, Google indicates by default that additional functions (i.e. permission requests) can be automatically added to each group during an update.

Messenger plays promotional videos

In June 2018, a Facebook spokesman confirmed that the network also wanted to display advertising in the form of videos on Messenger in the future. This should increase the app's data usage - but users should at least be able to switch off the automatic starting of the clips.

Facebook Messenger as an SMS app

Some Android users report that the messenger has suddenly managed their SMS and replaced the previous SMS app. This can happen, for example, if you tapped “Okay” when setting up the messenger app when the relevant question came up.

This means that Facebook can access another communication channel and collect even more data, unless the user changes this again. It goes like this:

Facebook employees can read messages

Regardless of whether you use Messenger as an app or the messaging system on the Facebook page: the content can generally be read by both machines and Facebook employees. Because users can also report private messages because of their content.

They are then checked by an employee of the “Community Operations Team” to see whether they violate Facebook's terms of use and, if necessary, deleted. This is how an employee from Facebook's German PR agency explains it when we asked.

[mk_ad]

Facebook does offer encryption for its Messenger. But

  1. must be activated by all participants in the conversation. The messenger's frame then changes color from blue to black.
  2. Encryption only becomes active if every chat partner uses the messenger as an app. Anyone who reads and sends messages via mbasic.facebook.com or the desktop version of the Facebook page cannot activate encryption.
  3. We cannot judge how secure the encryption actually is. There is also a report button for encrypted chats.

Tip: Don't use one service for everything

If you use different programs for different campaigns, it is more difficult for the individual providers to get an idea of ​​you. And even if you send messages directly to a recipient via Facebook, the provider can read them.

It's better if you use a so-called crypto messenger, which encrypts end-to-end and only makes messages visible to the recipient. A few example apps with their advantages and disadvantages can be found on the website of the NRW consumer advice center .

You might also be interested in: Concerns if Facebook has deletion authority

Source: checked4you


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )