Mark Zuckerberg has cautioned users against taking screenshots of their chats on Facebook Messenger, as they may now be caught in the act.
The CEO of Facebook announced that Messenger users will now be notified if someone takes a screenshot of their conversation.
“In our latest update to end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats, you’ll now get a notification if someone screenshots a disappearing message,” Zuckerberg shared in a Facebook post in January 2022.
This update comes on the heels of a significant change to Facebook Messenger—the introduction of disappearing messages, a feature already popular on platforms like Snapchat. These messages automatically disappear after being viewed.
Facebook Messenger Adds Screenshot Notifications for Disappearing Messages
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a new privacy feature for Messenger that alerts users when someone takes a screenshot of a disappearing message. “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 the introduction of disappearing messages on Messenger, aligning it with other social media platforms like Snapchat, where such messages vanish after being viewed. According to The Independent, the screenshot notification feature was initially rolled out to users in the U.S., with plans for expansion to Europe soon.
Snapchat has long offered screenshot notifications, making this update a familiar concept for many users. The feature, reportedly driven by growing security concerns, also extends to Instagram, which, like Facebook, is owned by Meta.
Mixed Reactions from Users
Zuckerberg’s announcement sparked widespread discussion, with his post receiving over 94,000 comments. While some users praised the added security, many pointed out ways to circumvent the feature.
“Screen recorder will do, I guess,” one user noted.
“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 prioritize more impactful initiatives. “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,” one user commented.
While some users welcomed the increased privacy, others questioned how effective the update would be in truly protecting conversations.
