Gina Heslop
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO and founder of Facebook, announced an update for Facebook Messenger that might change how people use the app.
Zuckerberg explained that users could now receive a notification if someone takes a screenshot of their conversation.
This feature applies specifically to chats that are end-to-end encrypted and involve disappearing messages. Zuckerberg shared this information in a Facebook post, highlighting the app’s enhanced privacy measures.
Disappearing messages were already introduced in Facebook Messenger before this update. These allow users to send messages that vanish from the screen after being read.
Similar features are popular on other social media platforms, like Snapchat, which also notifies users when someone takes a screenshot of a chat. The new screenshot alert is currently available in the United States, with plans to roll it out to Europe soon.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, also extended this feature to Instagram. The main reason for the update, according to reports, is to address growing security concerns.
However, not everyone is thrilled about it, and the feature has sparked mixed reactions. Zuckerberg’s post about the update has gathered over 94,000 comments, with users sharing their thoughts, workarounds, and critiques.
Some users pointed out that there are ways to bypass the screenshot detection. For example, a person can use a second device to take a picture of the chat.
Others suggested turning off Wi-Fi and mobile data before taking a screenshot to avoid triggering the notification. These suggestions reveal how users might adapt to the new feature.
While some found the update useful, others criticized it. A few commenters suggested that Meta should focus on addressing more significant global issues rather than improving virtual communication. One user commented that nothing could replace real human connection and interaction.
