The nightmare of many data protectors will actually be realized by Facebook. As the critically acclaimed US company recently announced, the next version of Messenger will make it possible to communicate not only with Facebook users, but also with WhatsApp and Instagram users. The three major platforms of the US group are thus merging even more strongly than before.
It is not yet clear when this new function, which connects the networks with each other, will be introduced. Facebook announced that all messages sent via the new messenger will be protected with end-to-end encryption. Much more about the new Messenger is not yet known.
However, it is already clear today that the innovation will fuel mistrust of Facebook apps. On the day after the announcement, there are already articles that show what Facebook can do with it: In the future, the behavior of users of the three apps can be analyzed even better. In combination with the advertising playout in WhatsApp, which is to be introduced later this year, the targeted advertising enables exactly where the user is at the moment.
It is also noticeable that Facebook is breaking a promise with this new messenger. The data determined by WhatsApp – such as all contact data stored in the phone – will be forwarded directly to Facebook in the future. The further development remains to be seen.
