Alert about FB Messenger and terms of use

News has begun circulating on the Internet that Facebook Messenger has "dangerous" terms of use and lists the phone's features that the app can access without our knowledge.

Of course, every Android application in the manifest has which phone functions it uses, and every user has an insight into that, at any time. Then why so much "panic" about FB Messenger?

In fact, I don't know myself. Messenger is not the only app that has access to these phone features. Moreover, she has even a greater justification for using them than e.g. some game that requires permissions to send messages (?!).

Here's what Messenger uses:

• Allows the app to change the state of the network connection
• Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention, which can lead to unexpected costs or calls. Malicious apps may invoke without your confirmation, creating a cost to your account.
• Allows the app to send text messages. Malicious apps may send messages without your confirmation, which in turn can lead to unexpected costs.
• Allows the app to record sound with the microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your consent.
• Allows the app to capture and capture video with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
• Allows the app to read your device's call log, including incoming and outgoing call information. This permission allows applications to store call list data, and malicious applications can share call list data without your knowledge.
• Allows the app to read information about your contacts stored on your device, including the frequency with which you call, send emails, or otherwise communicate with specific individuals.
• Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your profile such as your name and contact information. This means that the application can identify a person and can send your data to others.
• Allows the app to access the phone's phone settings. This permission allows the application to determine the phone number and device identification number.

(source: zimo.co)

Yes, the application needs it all, but the emphasis is on "without your knowledge". First of all, why is there an alarm if this has been the case since Android apps existed? Secondly, some games require similar permissions, and she doesn't even need them. Furthermore, the malicious applications mentioned can use this data - a virus on your computer can do the same. This is normal in today's world. Do agencies buy this data to place targeted ads? Also normal today.

So this is nothing new.

But, if you really want Messenger not to have access to some functions, and to keep the application, you can deny certain functions.

You must have a ROOT device for this. If you have, you can install a ROM that has a built-in "Privacy Protection" feature where you can deny a particular application certain features over the device. Or install a separate application for it, e.g. Xprivacy.

So you can deny Messenger reading / writing messages, using the camera (but then you won't be able to take pictures with it), reading contacts, accessing the location, etc.

All in all, a lot of dust is rising around something that has been around for quite some time and will exist. You don't have to delete Messenger because of this unless you really want to. Better check the terms of use of other, lesser-known applications.