Facebook Chat - Why they Split it Off

[Sir Topham Hatt]

The Huffington Post suggests Facebook split their chat section from the main app to cover some terms and conditions:

 

• Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity
   
• Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
   
• Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
   
• Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.
   
• Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
   
• Allows the app to read you phone's call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.
   
• Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you've called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.
   
• Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.
   
• Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
   
• Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed.

 

The problem is, people may not like it but they will accept the terms.

Shame something bad doesn't happen (like the app wildly does this or that) to take Facebook down a peg or two.

 

Glad I'm on Windows Phone, but not looking forward to the day it comes to us - the app is already bugging me to download the chat app.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

I've so far refused to install it and instead just fire up the web browser and access Facebook that way, where messaging works sufficiently well. I presume they'll block it at some point though, thus forcing you to install it :( 

 

I actually uninstalled Foursquare because they started doing the same by breaking checkins out into a different application. Foursquare IS checkins.. what other point is there for it to exist otherwise? After the whole nonsense with Facebook forcing this I just deleted Foursquare on the spot, despite having been a user for years with nearly 2,500 checkins.

[Skiver Veteran]

This was one of the things that lead me to close my facebook account completely, I do not understand the logic of forcing users (other than what is written in the OP) to use two app's when one was doing a perfectly fine job.

[Elliot B.]

I prefer a separate Facebook and Messenger app :)

 

I wish my friends would stop using WhatsApp. I use PCs a lot and I can't resume WhatsApp conversation in my browser like I can with Facebook's conversations.

[Skiver Veteran]

I prefer a separate Facebook and Messenger app :)

 

I wish my friends would stop using WhatsApp. I use PCs a lot and I can't resume WhatsApp conversation in my browser like I can with Facebook's conversations.

 

I have to say I do miss that element, I do wish there was some alternative that was both web and app based. I'm trying to stick to my guns as there were a few other reasons I got rid of it, but I do miss the ease of the chat. Plus I was late to the party with Whatsapp so I have to subscribe within the next 10 months or so if I want to continue using it.

[Elliot B.]

I have to say I do miss that element, I do wish there was some alternative that was both web and app based. I'm trying to stick to my guns as there were a few other reasons I got rid of it, but I do miss the ease of the chat. Plus I was late to the party with Whatsapp so I have to subscribe within the next 10 months or so if I want to continue using it.

Oh yeh, I forgot that WhatsApp charges!

 

When my free year expires in May 2015, I'm deleting the app. If said friends want to continue being able to communicate with me, it's Messenger or nothing :P

[Skiver Veteran]

Oh yeh, I forgot that WhatsApp charges!

 

When my free year expires in May 2015, I'm deleting the app. If said friends want to continue being able to communicate with me, it's Messenger or nothing :p

 

Oh I definately won't be using it once that happens, I'll attempt to find another replacement if I haven't given in and gone back to Facebook.