Mark Zuckerberg has cautioned users against taking screenshots of their chats on Facebook Messenger, as they may now be caught in the act.
The Facebook CEO announced that Messenger users will receive notifications if someone captures a screenshot of their conversation.
“New update for end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats so you get a notification if someone screenshots a disappearing message,” Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post in January 2022.
This update follows another major change to Facebook Messenger, introducing disappearing messages, already a common feature on other social media platforms like Snapchat. These messages automatically vanish after being viewed.
According to The Independent, the feature was first made available to Facebook users in the U.S. and was expected to roll out to Europe soon.
Snapchat has long had screenshot notifications, making this addition to Messenger a familiar concept for many users. Reports suggest the update was introduced due to security concerns and also extends to Instagram, which is owned by Meta.
Mixed Reactions from Users
Zuckerberg’s announcement quickly sparked discussion, with his post gathering over 94,000 comments. Many users pointed out that there are ways to bypass screenshot notifications.
“Screen recorder will do, I guess,” one user commented.
“What if someone used another mobile phone to take a photo of the conversation?” another asked.
“Now we will use another mobile for capturing photos instead of screenshots,” a third person agreed.
“Turn off Wi-Fi and data, take the screenshot, turn it back on, and keep messaging like a hero,” a fourth user suggested.
Others criticized the update, arguing that Facebook should focus on more pressing issues.
One user wrote, “What you’ve done IS cool. However, I wish the same energy was put into making REAL LIFE better for humanity instead of the virtual one. Nothing will ever replace genuine human interaction.”
While some users welcome the added security, others remain skeptical about its effectiveness.
