Facebook Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Instant messaging === {{Main|Facebook Messenger}} Facebook Messenger is an [[instant messaging]] service and software application. It began as Facebook Chat in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Hendrickson|title=Facebook Chat Launches, For Some|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/04/06/facebook-chat-enters-pre-release-beta/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=April 6, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017053152/https://techcrunch.com/2008/04/06/facebook-chat-enters-pre-release-beta/|url-status=live}}</ref> was revamped in 2010<ref>{{cite web|first=MG|last=Siegler|title=Facebook's Modern Messaging System: Seamless, History, And A Social Inbox|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/15/facebook-messaging/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=November 15, 2010|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019030531/https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/15/facebook-messaging/|url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually became a standalone mobile app in August 2011, while remaining part of the user page on browsers.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Kincaid|title=Facebook Launches Standalone iPhone/Android Messenger App (And It's Beluga)|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/08/09/facebook-launches-standalone-mobile-messenger-app-and-it%E2%80%99s-beluga/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=August 9, 2011|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005063853/https://techcrunch.com/2011/08/09/facebook-launches-standalone-mobile-messenger-app-and-it%E2%80%99s-beluga/|url-status=live}}</ref> Complementing regular conversations, Messenger lets users make one-to-one<ref>{{cite web|first=Hope|last=King|title=Facebook Messenger now lets you make video calls|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/27/technology/facebook-messenger-mobile-video-call/|website=[[CNN]]|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611021040/https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/27/technology/facebook-messenger-mobile-video-call/|url-status=live}}</ref> and group<ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Statt|title=Facebook Messenger now lets you video chat with up to 50 people|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/19/14006752/facebook-messenger-group-video-chat-feature-update|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=December 19, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105746/http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/19/14006752/facebook-messenger-group-video-chat-feature-update|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Voice over IP|voice]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Ellis|last=Hamburger|title=Facebook launches free calling for all iPhone users in the US|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/16/3883538/facebook-launches-free-calling-in-messenger-for-iphone-us|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022932/http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/16/3883538/facebook-launches-free-calling-in-messenger-for-iphone-us|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Videotelephony|video calls]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Constine|title=Facebook Messenger Launches Free VOIP Video Calls Over Cellular And Wi-Fi|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/27/facebook-messenger-video-chat/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919222052/https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/27/facebook-messenger-video-chat/|url-status=live}}</ref> Its Android app has integrated support for [[SMS]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Charles|last=Arthur|title=Facebook turns Messenger into a text message killer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/04/facebook-messenger-android-sms-killer|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919180035/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/04/facebook-messenger-android-sms-killer|url-status=live}}</ref> and "Chat Heads", which are round profile photo icons appearing on-screen regardless of what app is open,<ref>{{cite web|title=Chat Heads come to Facebook Messenger for Android|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/12/4216838/facebook-updates-messenger-adds-chat-heads|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=April 12, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920055844/https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/12/4216838/facebook-updates-messenger-adds-chat-heads|url-status=live}}</ref> while both apps support multiple accounts,<ref>{{cite web|first=Sarah|last=Perez|title=Facebook Tests SMS Integration in Messenger, Launches Support For Multiple Accounts|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/11/facebook-tests-sms-integration-in-messenger-launches-support-for-multiple-accounts/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202010903/https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/11/facebook-tests-sms-integration-in-messenger-launches-support-for-multiple-accounts/|url-status=live}}</ref> conversations with optional [[end-to-end encryption]]<ref>{{cite journal|first=Andy|last=Greenberg|title=You Can All Finally Encrypt Facebook Messenger, So Do It|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/facebook-completely-encrypted-messenger-update-now/|journal=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|date=October 4, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122050204/https://www.wired.com/2016/10/facebook-completely-encrypted-messenger-update-now/|url-status=live}}</ref> and "Instant Games".<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Constine|title=Facebook Messenger launches Instant Games|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/29/messenger-instant-games/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=November 29, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101121/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/29/messenger-instant-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> Some features, including sending money<ref name="US-feature">{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Constine|title=Facebook Introduces Free Friend-To-Friend Payments Through Messages|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/17/facebook-pay/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815173100/https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/17/facebook-pay/|url-status=live}}</ref> and requesting transportation,<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew J.|last=Hawkins|title=Facebook Messenger now lets you hail an Uber car|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10303878/facebook-messenger-uber-app-integration-API|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=December 16, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092109/http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10303878/facebook-messenger-uber-app-integration-API|url-status=live}}</ref> are limited to the United States.<ref name="US-feature" /> In 2017, Facebook added "Messenger Day", a feature that lets users share photos and videos in a story-format with all their friends with the content disappearing after 24 hours;<ref>{{cite web|first=James|last=Vincent|title=Facebook's Snapchat stories clone, Messenger Day, is now rolling out globally|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/9/14867192/facebook-messenger-snapchat-stories-clone-day|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020809/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/9/14867192/facebook-messenger-snapchat-stories-clone-day|url-status=live}}</ref> Reactions, which lets users tap and hold a message to add a reaction through an [[emoji]];<ref name="verge-mentions">{{cite web|first=James|last=Vincent|title=Facebook Messenger gets reactions for individual messages and @ notifications|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/23/15033810/facebook-messenger-notifications-reactions|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=March 23, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033205/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/23/15033810/facebook-messenger-notifications-reactions|url-status=live}}</ref> and Mentions, which lets users in group conversations type @ to give a particular user a notification.<ref name="verge-mentions" /> In April 2020, Facebook began rolling out a new feature called [[Facebook Messenger Rooms|Messenger Rooms]], a video chat feature that allows users to chat with up to 50 people at a time.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Flaherty |first=Kate |title=Facebook Users Beware: Here's Why Messenger Rooms Is Not Actually That Private |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2020/04/26/facebooks-messenger-rooms-is-not-actually-all-that-private-heres-why/ |access-date=May 14, 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> In July 2020, Facebook added a new feature in Messenger that lets iOS users to use Face ID or Touch ID to lock their chats. The feature is called App Lock and is a part of several changes in Messenger regarding privacy and security.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Facebook Messenger can now lock your chats behind Face ID |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/22/21333945/facebook-messenger-app-lock-security-iphone-ipad-face-id |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mendiratta |first=Hemant |date=August 7, 2020 |title=How To View Only Unread Messages On Facebook Messenger |url=https://www.techuntold.com/view-only-unread-messages-facebook-messenger |access-date=September 14, 2021 |website=TechUntold |quote=}}</ref> On October 13, 2020, the Messenger application introduced cross-app messaging with Instagram, which was launched in September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Facebook Messenger releases cross-app group chats, further integrating with Instagram |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/30/facebook-messenger-releases-cross-app-group-chats-further-integrating-with-instagram/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to the integrated messaging, the application announced the introduction of a new logo, which will be an amalgamation of the Messenger and Instagram logo.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 13, 2020 |title=The Future of Messaging is Now |url=https://messengernews.fb.com/2020/10/13/the-future-of-messaging-is-now/ |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=Messenger News}}</ref> Businesses and users can interact through Messenger with features such as tracking purchases and receiving notifications, and interacting with customer service representatives. Third-party developers can integrate apps into Messenger, letting users enter an app while inside Messenger and optionally share details from the app into a chat.<ref>{{cite web|first=Hope|last=King|title=7 big changes coming to Facebook|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/03/25/technology/facebook-f8-messenger/|website=[[CNN]]|date=March 25, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301180343/https://money.cnn.com/2015/03/25/technology/facebook-f8-messenger/|url-status=live}}</ref> Developers can build [[Software agent|chatbots]] into Messenger, for uses such as news publishers building bots to distribute news.<ref>{{cite web|first=Casey|last=Newton|title=Facebook launches a bot platform for Messenger|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/12/11395806/facebook-messenger-bot-platform-announced-f8-conference|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108162709/http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/12/11395806/facebook-messenger-bot-platform-announced-f8-conference|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[M (virtual assistant)|M virtual assistant]] (U.S.) scans chats for keywords and suggests relevant actions, such as its payments system for users mentioning money.<ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Statt|title=Facebook's AI assistant will now offer suggestions inside Messenger|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/6/15200836/facebook-messenger-m-suggestions-ai-assisant|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111192857/http://www.theverge.com/2017/4/6/15200836/facebook-messenger-m-suggestions-ai-assisant|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Constine|title=Facebook Messenger's AI 'M' suggests features to use based on your convos|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/06/facebook-messengers-ai-m-suggests-features-to-use-based-on-your-convos/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026170208/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/06/facebook-messengers-ai-m-suggests-features-to-use-based-on-your-convos/|url-status=live}}</ref> Group chatbots appear in Messenger as "Chat Extensions". A "Discovery" tab allows finding bots, and enabling special, branded [[QR code]]s that, when scanned, take the user to a specific bot.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Constine|title=Facebook Messenger launches group bots and bot discovery tab|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/facebook-bot-discovery/|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=April 18, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022040938/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/facebook-bot-discovery/|url-status=live}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! 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