Facebook Messenger update (3 January, 2013)

[gtbarry]

An updated version of Facebook messenger popped up today. According to the front page of Phandroid:

"Facebook Messenger is receiving a sizeable update this evening, introducing thumb-happy texters into the world of real voice messaging (that thing you used to use a phone for). Now, jumping into the application and pressing on the

 

[mydian]

But I noticed in the permissions it is asking for rights to: edit your text messages (sms or mms), read your text messages (sms or mms), receive messages (mms), receive text messages (sms) and send sms messages.

Is this new??? Has anyone updated and seen anything new in the settings?

I have not updated the app yet and it already has these permissions.

 

[gtbarry]

I have not updated the app yet and it already has these permissions.

Correct. I checked and facebook messenger has always had this. I guess I just didn't notice before.

I just have a general distrust for all things facebook. Since everytime they update the Android facebook app it turns on location settings, etc even though I have always had them turned off.

For now I have uninstalled the facebook messenger app completely. So, now messages via facebook come in via a standard facebook alert in my notification bar. I can always install it if I find a need for it in the future.

 

[CodeMonkey]

The SMS related permissions were introduced as part of the last major app update: http://allthingsd.com/20121204/no-a...ger-continues-war-on-sms-with-android-update/
Essentially they want to get you using Facebook messenger in place of texts similar to WhatsApp etc