Facebook has added a new feature to its standalone Messenger app, which nudges users to share photos with their friends.
The new Photo Magic feature scans a device’s camera roll for photos of the user’s Facebook friends, using its controversial facial recognition tech.
Folks will then be encouraged, via a notification, to send those photos to the matched friends in question, of course, using the Messenger app.
If multiple people are found within the same picture, Photo Magic will enable for the pic(s) to be shared in a single tap.
While the feature is a nice way to ensure users are able to connect over shared memories, it does require some serious privacy concessions on the part of the user.
Many Facebook users will turn up their nose at allowing Facebook to rifle through their gallery apps. Facebook, of course, has trotted out the usual line about users being in complete control.
Product manager Lexy Franklin told TechCrunch “we really built the entire Photo Magic experience so you’re in full control.”
See also: Facebook is working on a teleporter
Facebook says 9.5 billion photos have already been shared by Messenger users with Franklin saying Photo Magic aims to make the process easier.
The feature is being rolled for Android app users in Australia with plans to bring it to iOS and other territories soon.
Are you willing to let Facebook’s bots trawl your most intimate snaps? Share your thoughts below
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
