How to Control Your Privacy on Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s Messenger app is a smooth messaging and calling platform with an attractive interface. Users can synchronize their contacts on Instagram and Messenger in a single place to create a virtual space for all messaging activities.
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Here, we discuss the essential ways to maintain your privacy on Facebook Messenger.
Controlling Privacy on Messenger
From time to time, Messenger updates its privacy policy and adds various features that contribute to a safer and more convenient experience. Here are the most important tips to take control of your privacy on Messenger.
Tweak Your Message Delivery Settings
Message delivery settings help you better control your Messenger account (andInstagram if linked) by allowing who can send messages directly to your inbox. Other people are not notified when you change delivery settings and can continue to text without knowing.
To change your Facebook Messenger’s delivery settings:
These changes are automatically made on your phone and applied from the very next message you receive.
Similarly, users with connected accounts can also control their Instagram delivery settings from their Messenger accounts.
Restrict a Facebook Messenger Account
The Restrict feature is a bonus for people who use Facebook Messenger as you can restrict each contact individually. It is a great way to avoid a specific person without blocking them from your account. Also, there is no limit to how many contacts you can restrict.
To restrict someone on Messenger:
The other person won’t know you restricted them, but it moves the chat from your main inbox folder toMessage Requests. You canaccess the Message Requests folderto unrestrict a person and access their chats.
You will not be notified of any messages or calls from that person. Still, if you want to take extreme measures, simplyblock them on your Messenger account.
Turn On Messenger’s Security Alerts
Chats on Messenger areend-to-end encrypted. This layer of security ensures your conversations are only between you and that particular contact. Adding security updates the chat with changes in E2EE when someone installs Messenger on a new device, resets the phone, or reinstalls the app.
To turn on security alerts on Messenger:
It is worth remembering that a change in contact key is not always dangerous, which is why you should confirm with that person before taking any further steps.
Limit Your Messenger Story Audience
Messenger Stories have an Instagram-like interface and similar features. We highly suggest not sharing your stories with a public audience unless you are comfortable or are using the Messenger app to promote something.
To limit your Messenger Story audience:
By selectingCustom, you can choose the contacts you want to show your story to. If you wish to hide it only from a few users, tapHide Story Fromand choose the desired contacts.
Hide Your Facebook Messenger Active Status
Not everyone needs to know whether you’re active on Messenger or not, as they might attempt to disturb you. To avoid the hassle, consider hiding your active status:
Turning off active status doesn’t mean you won’t be shown when using Messenger. Your contacts might be able to see the last time you opened the Messenger app or the termActive Nowbut without that green dot or your name in the list.
Delete Your Messenger Search History
Clearing your search history is always a good idea. It limits any third person with access to your account from knowing your account activities. Messenger allows users to delete search history with a few simple steps:
Delete Your Messenger Messages and Conversations
One of the easiest ways to control your Messenger privacy is to delete your conversations. To do that:
You can also remove individual messages from the chat by opening the conversation and long-pressing the message.
Choose one message at a time and pressUnsendorRemove for youif it’s yours andRemoveif it was sent by the other user. Remember that the remaining conversation will still be available.
Enjoy Facebook Messenger Without Compromising Your Privacy
Messenger is a great platform to engage with people you know. It is possible to improve your privacy by taking a few additional measures.
You can control Messenger privacy by changing the settings for delivery and security alerts, your active status, and removing conversations. Apart from that, clearing your browsing data keeps you safe even if someone gets access to your account.
Apply these changes now for a secure and safe messaging experience with minimum risk of privacy invasion.
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