Many smartphone and tablet users who were prompted to download the Facebook messenger app on their devices worry about various privacy issues, KY3 reported.
In most cases, they are concerned by the long list of questions they have to answer as part of the app's download procedure. Their fears stem from the assumption that Facebook is asking their permission to access their personal information and features of their devices, according to KVIA.
According to Jody Chaffin, CEO of the app developer The App Pros, Facebook's questions are tailored after the features of the social networking site's downloadable messenger.
Since the app allows users to record messages, the company has to have the user's permission to access the audio features of his or her gadget.
"You can do audio messages, so you can speak and record a message, and the other person would get the message," Chaffin said. "If you don't have the permission for audio, you can't do that."
But one other feature of the app that stirs the users' paranoia is the possibility that Facebook can override a device's camera and microphone, The Star reported.
Since most users always have their smartphones or tablets with them, they are worried about the cameras automatically turning on and recording their private moments.
Chaffin explained that technically, if Facebook asks a user's permission to access the recording devices and he or she agrees, then the company can legally control the microphone or camera.
However, the executive explained that if Facebook automatically turns on the recording features of the gadgets without the users knowing about it, it could spell the end for the company.
"If you ask for permission to access the camera, legally you can access the camera," Chaffin said. "So if Facebook wanted to write code to when the device is dormant, to flip on the camera and observe, technically it's possible."
"Would Facebook do that? I mean, if anyone ever found out Facebook had done that, it would be over," the CEO added.