Facebook messenger currently has over 1.3 billions users globally which is expected to grow to 2.4 billions users by 2021. With so many users involved in the app, Facebook has decided to add an extra layer of security in the messenger app.
A new feature App Lock will prevent other users to access your messages or pictures or even use the app. This App lock feature will use your bio-metric authentication technique such as Face ID, fingerprint to unlock the messenger app. This new feature will be available in privacy settings.
“Your touch or face ID is not transmitted to or stored by Facebook. The feature is available today on iPhone and iPad and will come to Android in the next few months.” said Jay Sullivan, Director of Product Management, Messenger Privacy and Safety.
Facebook is also working on new message controls similar to Instagram. Messenger users can then decide who can message or call them directly, who goes to their requests folder, and who can’t message or call them at all. Facebook is also going to introduce a feature that blurs images in the message request folder. This will also give users the choice to view an image from someone they may not know before replying to the message or blocking or reporting the account.