Facebook: The big change coming to messenger

Mark Zuckerberg is introducing new changes to Facebook messengers that will allow more transparency if someone violates their privacy.

Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg to introduce screenshot notifications for disappearing messages
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Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg to introduce screenshot notifications for disappearing messages

Facebook Messenger has a feature that allows you to send disappearing messages, but some people often take screenshots of those. However, these Facebook Messenger conversations should not be screenshotted. According to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, if you're utilising Messenger's 'Vanish Mode,' be aware that your messages may not totally vanish.

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Zuckerberg issued a warning via his Facebook page that stated soon the messenger would not let people do that. He has warned Messenger users against taking screenshots of discussions since their friends will quickly find out.

You took a screenshot!

Facebook Messenger has received a new set of improvements, including end-to-end encryption similar to WhatsApp, and Zuckerberg has warned users about one of the new features. In this new update, users will be warned if someone screenshots a vanishing message because the texts are supposed to disappear after a predetermined length of time. That implies that if a person sends you a message in vanish mode that they don't want you to keep forever, and you screenshot it, they'll find out—so be careful! Zuckerberg informed people about the update on his Facebook profile and wrote:

New update for end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats so you get a notification if someone screenshots a disappearing message. We're also adding GIFs, stickers, and reactions to encrypted chats too.

New update for end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats so you get a notification if someone screenshots a disappearing message. We're also adding GIFs, stickers, and reactions to encrypted chats too.

Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, January 27, 2022

He then had a conversation with Priscilla Chan, his long-term wife and partner. Priscilla captures a screenshot of Zuckerberg making a stupid joke about a supercomputer, demonstrating how the notification will operate once vanishing messages are enabled. The feature is akin to a long-standing Snapchat feature that makes your sent messages and photos disappear after a certain amount of time has passed.

How to activate disappearing message

Here's how to activate Facebook Messenger disappearing messages if you think they're for you.

  • Open a Messenger conversation with someone.
  • From the bottom of the screen, swipe up. You'll receive a notification to swipe for Vanish Mode.
  • Swipe up until the blue circle is completely filled.

The Vanish Mode will now be enabled. Just keep an eye out for the warning that one of your communications has been screenshotted.

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