Privacy is an increasingly important issue for online communications. Many people use messaging apps like Facebook Messenger or plain old SMS text messaging to keep in touch with friends and family. But how do these two popular options compare when it comes to keeping your conversations confidential?
Facebook Messenger and text messaging both have their benefits and drawbacks around privacy. Texting is generally considered more private because it doesn’t run through an intermediate company like Facebook. However, Facebook Messenger offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, which texting lacks. Ultimately, the privacy of both messaging methods depends largely on users’ privacy settings.
How private is Facebook Messenger?
Facebook Messenger does not have end-to-end encryption for text chats by default. This means Facebook can access the content of your messages on their servers. However, Facebook claims they do not read people’s conversations unless required by law.
Here are some key points about privacy on Facebook Messenger:
- Messages are encrypted in transit using TLS (transport layer security), protecting them from interception.
- Messages are stored unencrypted on Facebook’s servers.
- Facebook scans message metadata and content to target ads, “improve services,” and for community standards enforcement.
- Facebook Messenger supports optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Conversations, which provides stronger privacy protections.
- Voice and video calls made through Messenger are end-to-end encrypted by default.
So in summary, regular Facebook Messenger chats have minimal privacy protections. However, Secret Conversations and calls provide much stronger safeguards for confidentiality.
Metadata and content scanning
Even when end-to-end encryption is enabled, Facebook still has access to metadata about who you are messaging with, when, and for how long. They use this to target ads and “improve their services.”
Facebook also scans message content and metadata to enforce their community standards around things like harassment, suicide, child exploitation, and terrorism. This scanning allows them to detect rule-breaking content, but also provides another window into your conversations.
Secret Conversations
Facebook Messenger allows users to enable end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats through a feature called Secret Conversations. This prevents Facebook from accessing the content of your messages.
Secret Conversations provide several enhanced privacy features:
- Messages are end-to-end encrypted and inaccessible to Facebook.
- Encrypted messages can only be read on one device.
- You can set messages to expire after a set time period.
- Notifications don’t show message contents.
The downside is Secret Conversations lack some convenience features like syncing across devices or Facebook-integrated products.
Calls
Voice and video calls made through Facebook Messenger have end-to-end encryption enabled by default. This prevents Facebook or anyone else from intercepting your call contents.
However, Facebook still has access to call metadata like who you called and for how long. They say they use this information for targeted ads, product improvement, and community standards enforcement.
How private is text messaging?
The privacy of standard text messaging depends on your cell phone carrier. But generally, SMS/MMS technology is considered more private than messaging apps like Facebook Messenger.
Here are some key points about texting privacy:
- Messages are encrypted in transit, but the level of encryption depends on your carrier.
- Messages are typically stored unencrypted on your carrier’s servers.
- Carriers have access to view message contents and metadata like contacts.
- Text messages are not end-to-end encrypted, so companies could be compelled to share them.
- Carriers scan texts to varying degrees for spam detection and community standards enforcement.
So in summary, texting provides a baseline level of privacy through encryption in transit. But the confidentiality of stored texts depends on the policies of your mobile carrier.
Encryption in transit
When you send a text, it is encrypted as it travels between your phone, cell towers, and the recipient’s device. This prevents intermediaries like hackers from intercepting your messages.
However, the level of encryption varies between carriers. Older networks may only use basic encryption while newer 4G and 5G networks typically use stronger algorithms.
Message storage
SMS and MMS messages are generally stored unencrypted in your carrier’s servers. The storage length varies between providers from a few days up to years.
This means employees at your cell company could theoretically access stored texts, and they could be shared with authorities if legally compelled. Some carriers have been accused of exploiting text data for marketing purposes.
Metadata
Even when the message content is encrypted, mobile carriers have access to who you text with, when, and how often. This metadata can reveal a lot about your contacts and habits.
Carriers may use metadata for marketing purposes like targeting ads. Law enforcement can sometimes access it without a warrant.
Spam and content moderation
To combat spam and enforce community standards, mobile carriers use automated systems to scan message contents to varying degrees. This provides another avenue for your texts to be accessed and analyzed.
Facebook Messenger vs. texting privacy comparison
Here is a table summarizing the key privacy differences between standard Facebook Messenger chats, Messenger Secret Conversations, and traditional text messaging:
| Privacy Factor | Facebook Messenger | Messenger Secret Conversation | SMS/MMS Texting |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted content | No | Yes | No |
| Encrypted in transit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Message access by company | Yes | No | Yes |
| Data used for ads/marketing | Yes | Metadata only | Possibly |
| Content moderation | Yes | No | Possibly |
| Authorities can access | If compelled | No | If compelled |
| Sync across devices | Yes | No | Yes |
As you can see, Secret Conversations provide the most privacy. Standard Messenger and texting are similar, but texting gives control to your carrier rather than Facebook.
Factors that affect privacy
There are a few key factors that determine how private Facebook Messenger and text messaging are:
Device encryption
If your device is encrypted, your messages have an additional layer of protection at rest on your phone and if your phone is lost or hacked.
Backup settings
Backing up your texts to the cloud can expose them to hacking or government data requests. Avoid backups for maximum privacy.
Notification settings
Facebook Messenger and Android phones allow you to disable message previews on notifications for extra privacy. iOS does not offer this option.
Contact access
Giving messaging apps access to your contacts exposes your relationships. Restrict app contact access if you want to limit metadata exposure.
WIFI/mobile data
Public WIFI networks are risky for messaging if they do not use encryption. Cellular data has more privacy built-in.
Authentication methods
Enabling two-factor authentication adds important account security on Facebook Messenger and associated apps.
Groups vs. 1-to-1
Messaging with groups is inherently less private than chatting one-on-one. Group admins may be able to access messages.
Device/account linking
Facebook Messenger linking your account and device profile creates a broader web of metadata Facebook can collect and analyze.
How governments access messages
Government agencies like law enforcement and intelligence services can sometimes legally compel companies to share user messaging data. Here’s how that works for the two platforms:
Facebook Messenger
- Facebook may provide stored message contents in response to a search warrant or subpoena.
- They provide metadata like who you contacted more freely without a warrant.
- Secret Conversations are inaccessible even with a warrant due to end-to-end encryption.
Text messaging
- Carriers can be compelled to share text metadata relatively freely.
- Text content requires a warrant in many countries.
- Law enforcement may be able to intercept texts in transit with specialized equipment.
In general, governments seem to more frequently request messaging data from Facebook compared to mobile carriers. But many countries lack legal protections against authorities accessing private communications.
Recommendations for keeping messages private
Here are some tips to maximize the privacy of your messaging whether you use Facebook Messenger, SMS texting, or other apps:
- Enable encryption options like Messenger’s Secret Conversations where available.
- Avoid backing up messages to the cloud.
- Turn off chat history and search when possible.
- Enable options to delete messages after a duration.
- Disable message previews and contact syncing.
- Use device encryption and lock screens.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Don’t discuss sensitive topics over messaging apps.
No messaging solution is completely private. But following security best practices will limit your risks.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger and text messaging both have risks when it comes to privacy. Texting gives control to carriers while Messenger goes through Facebook’s servers.
Messenger’s Secret Conversations provide the strongest privacy protections with end-to-end encryption. Standard Messenger and SMS offer similar baseline security, but texts are not tied to your Facebook account profile and actions.
Ultimately, both messaging methods have vulnerabilities. Your personal privacy practices like encryption and backup settings have a significant impact as well. Understanding the privacy risks allows you to make informed choices about how to communicate sensitively.