Facebook Messenger Archives

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Police Warn Coconut Creek Residents of Facebook Messenger Scam

Coconut Creek Police have issued a warning about a Facebook Messenger scam where a local woman was duped by a hacker impersonating a friend. The victim sent money via the Zelle app, only to discover later that her friend's account had been hacked. The police report noted that the hacker's phone number did not match her friend's, prompting her realization of the deception. Residents are advised to verify identities through alternative means before sending money or personal information and to stay informed about potential scams.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)

Google Messages has introduced a beta feature that allows users to send messages to themselves using RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides advantages over SMS, such as the ability to send longer texts and high-resolution media without compression. However, RCS messages sent to oneself currently lack encryption. If the feature is active on a device, users can simply text themselves, or they may need to enroll in the Google Messages beta program. Self-messaging offers convenience and the ability to synchronize messages and media across devices, but users concerned about security may consider using encrypted platforms like Signal for sensitive information.

AppWizard

February 16, 2025

Federal workers say they increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook

Federal employees are increasingly concerned about the security of traditional communication platforms and are migrating to encrypted messaging apps like Signal for personal and work-related discussions. This shift is driven by distrust in technology companies, particularly those perceived to have ties with the Trump administration, and fears that user data may be shared with the government. Employees have noted a change in workplace conversation dynamics, becoming more guarded and circumspect. Concerns have also been raised about the potential misuse of personal data, highlighted by past incidents involving companies like Meta. Many federal workers are seeking security tips through forums and adopting measures such as anonymous display names to protect their identities. The federal workforce consists of over 3 million individuals, indicating a significant portion of the U.S. labor market is affected by these privacy and data security concerns.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Facebook Messenger down and out for over an hour

On February 11, 2025, Facebook Messenger experienced a significant outage starting around 2 p.m. local time in Vietnam, affecting users' ability to send and receive messages, particularly on the desktop version. Reports of issues surged to nearly 1,000 cases within an hour, according to Downdetector. Users reported slow and unstable service, with some unable to access the desktop version at all. By 3:10 p.m., some users began to regain access, but new outage reports continued to be logged. This incident followed previous outages affecting Meta's services, including a December 12, 2024 outage lasting over four hours, a March 2024 disruption lasting about an hour, a global outage in 2021 lasting six hours due to a configuration error, and a 24-hour connectivity loss in 2019.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Users complain about Messenger crash: what problems are reported

Facebook Messenger is experiencing significant disruptions, with 91% of user complaints related to difficulties in sending messages, 6% concerning app issues, and 3% regarding voice messaging features. The problems began around 8:30 a.m. on February 11, with reports from Ukrainian users emerging after 9:30 a.m. The peak of the outage occurred at 9:39 a.m.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp down for some users

Meta's messaging platforms, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, experienced significant disruptions affecting users globally, with peak outages reported around 2 PM local time. Downdetector noted a spike in outage reports during the early afternoon. Users reported issues like undelivered messages and connectivity challenges on both mobile and desktop versions of the apps. Meta has not acknowledged the situation or provided any statement regarding the cause or timeline for service restoration. Users continue to seek updates as they face communication disruptions.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Remove These 12 Android Apps Now—They’re Secretly Capturing Your Conversations

Some Android applications are covertly monitoring conversations and collecting personal data without user consent. Cybersecurity firm ESET identified six malicious apps on Google Play and another six on third-party app stores that disguise themselves as legitimate messaging platforms. These apps harvest data such as text messages, call logs, and recorded conversations. Hackers also employ tactics like creating fake romantic connections to persuade victims to download infected apps, such as those containing the VajraSpy Trojan, which records conversations and accesses personal files. Three groups of dangerous apps include: 1. Messaging apps disguised as secure platforms (e.g., Hello Chat, MeetMe, Chit Chat) that steal contact information and SMS messages. 2. Apps exploiting accessibility features (e.g., Wave Chat) that can intercept messages and record phone calls. 3. A fake news app that seeks access to personal data without messaging capabilities. A list of malicious apps includes: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Chat, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. Six of these apps were downloaded over 1,400 times each before being removed from Google Play. To protect privacy, users are advised to uninstall suspicious apps, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, run security scans, and stay informed about cybersecurity threats.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

‘Let’s just delete all meta apps’: User shares little-known secret about Facebook Messenger

A TikTok video by user Jess (@slyguyjess) has raised concerns about Meta's data practices, claiming that by agreeing to Facebook Messenger's terms and conditions, users allow the app to access a "Wi-Fi map" that could identify all devices on the same network. The video has received 4.8 million views, leading many viewers to delete Facebook Messenger and other Meta platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta collects location information based on user settings and activity, and it can obtain data from the network a device connects to, including IP addresses and Wi-Fi connections. Users can enable location services for precise data via GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, but if disabled, Meta can only estimate approximate locations based on user activity and IP addresses.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Delete These 12 Android Apps That Are Secretly Recording Your Conversations

Smartphones are essential in daily life but pose risks due to malicious applications that threaten privacy and security. ESET security researchers identified 12 Android apps that covertly record conversations and steal sensitive data, disguised as legitimate messaging platforms. These apps were distributed through a cyberespionage strategy that exploited the Google Play Store. Victims were initially lured through online romance scams, leading them to download apps for "secure communication," which then operated covertly. The malicious apps fall into three categories: 1. Basic Spyware: Apps that offer basic messaging features while secretly gathering personal information, including contacts and location data. 2. Advanced Interception: More sophisticated apps that intercept messages from platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, and can activate the microphone to record calls. 3. The “Innocent” App: Apps that appear benign, such as a news platform, but still request personal information and can access contacts. The 12 identified apps to delete include: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Cha, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. These apps were available on the Google Play Store and collectively had over 1,400 downloads before being removed. The main danger of these applications is their ability to operate silently, compromising user privacy by recording audio, tracking location, and stealing information without user awareness. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately and conduct security scans with reputable antivirus software. Caution is recommended when downloading apps, emphasizing the importance of using trusted sources and being skeptical of unsolicited recommendations.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Meta ‘removes LGBTQ+ Pride themes from Facebook Messenger app’

Meta has removed Pride and LGBTQ+ themes from Facebook Messenger, which included color schemes reflecting the pride flags of transgender and non-binary identities. These themes were initially introduced in 2021 and 2022 for Pride Month. The company's recent changes to hate speech policies now allow users to label queer individuals as “mentally ill,” leading to backlash and internal chaos among employees, some of whom have taken sick leave. Reports indicate that employees are seeking clarification on the policy changes, which diverge from established scientific consensus. A member of Meta's policy team stated the revisions aim to correct overly restrictive rules while reaffirming the company's core value of free expression, even if it means allowing offensive content.