Let’s face it, Facebook has become a major part of our lives. From family pictures to recent engagement announcements to newborn baby updates, Facebook is where we get important information from those we love and care about. However, is this coming at a cost because of the information we are giving to the site?
In addition, Facebook has been put under scrutiny for the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the company was giving away user information without permission. Despite this, many people still use the site, even if they’re fuming about that mistake by the company.
The site’s functionality is top-notch, plus it’s very user-friendly. Simply put, it is the number one social media website for a good reason. With that said, here are 12 hidden features and facts that only highly knowledgeable users know about.
- Does Facebook Know Where You Are At All Times?
- The Hidden Messenger Tab
Yep, Facebook has a message tab that you might not know about. It is a filtered inbox with messages from people you aren’t friends with. For many, there are lots of messages that they didn’t even know about! Depending on when you created your Facebook account, you probably have some messages that you’ve never even seen. To get there, simply click on the “Message Requests” tab next to your regular messages, as seen above.
- Video Messenger
Most people don’t know that on Facebook you can video message people, just like Facetime. To do so, simply click on the video icon in the top right of a message tab and allow your browser to connect to your webcam and microphone. You can video message any one of your friends if they are online.
- Send Money
With this new feature, you can link your bank account to your Facebook account to send and receive money. This is very similar to Venmo and Cash App. This feature can be used to pay a friend for lunch in a very easy and accessible way.
- Download A Copy Of All Of Your “Facebooking”
To download a copy of everything you have ever liked on Facebook, simply go to settings (found in the top right of the site) and click “Download a copy of your Facebook data.” This feature exists for two reasons. The first is to save your likes if you ever want to delete your account and the second reason is just in case Facebook goes down.
- Add Extra Security To Your Account
Although your Facebook account is generally secure enough with just one password, there is no harm in adding additional layers of security, and the site gives users that option. To do so, go back to “Settings.” The first way you can do this is by enabling “Two-Factor Authentication.” Basically, that means that when you try to add your account to a new device, such as an iPad, you will need to confirm it when the site sends a text message authorization code to your cell phone.
- Block Facebook Mobile Browser Tracking
Even though some of us wish you could entirely opt out of tracking on Facebook, there are ways to surf the web in private. All you need to do is go to this third-party website called Digital Advertising Alliance. Once there, follow the directions and click the section next to Facebook.
- Turn Off Autoplay On Videos
Have you ever been scrolling through your feed and see a video that you don’t want to watch, but it plays anyway? Simply to go “Settings,” then click “Videos.” Then, set autoplay videos to turn off. This is a great feature for those who get annoyed when a video automatically plays when they are just trying to scroll through their feed.
- Upload 360-degree photos to Facebook
As you may have seen on your Facebook feed, the site now allows users to upload 360-degree images. If you’re using mobile, it is especially cool because you can simply tilt your phone sideways and the image will move to see the other areas of the 360-degree picture. This feature is especially neat for users who upload lots of images.
- Facebook Admits They Were In The Wrong, Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Even CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that the Cambridge Analytica scandal was a a major breach of trust”. The company realized that it needed to raise the standard for user information safety. After all, user information is what really gives the company their value, because so much of their revenue comes from targeted ads. When looking at the company’s balance sheet, their truly is a lack of diversity in terms of revenue streams.
For those unaware, Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, unethically bought user data from Facebook during the 2016 election in order to influence the US election and the UK’s vote on leaving the EU.
The company has taken out full page ads to apologize and strongly argues that they are putting user safety as a top priority.
In a statement, Zuckerberg denounced, “…IT’S CLEAR NOW THAT WE DIDN’T DO ENOUGH TO PREVENT THESE TOOLS FROM BEING USED FOR HARM AS WELL. THAT GOES FOR FAKE NEWS, FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS, AND HATE SPEECH, AS WELL AS DEVELOPERS AND DATA PRIVACY. WE DIDN’T TAKE A BROAD ENOUGH VIEW OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY, AND THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE. IT WAS MY MISTAKE, AND I’M SORRY. I STARTED FACEBOOK, I RUN IT, AND I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS HERE.”
- Check what Information was shared with Cambridge Analytica by the app “This Is Your Digital Life.”
In the last few months, Facebook has clearly been in some trouble. That is why you can go to a link and see what information Cambridge Analytica has taken from your account. This issue is something Facebook is taking seriously. To find out, click here.
- Choose a “legacy” person if you pass away
A reality about life is that we all will eventually die at some point. In anticipation of this fact, Facebook lets all of their users choose someone to manage their account if they pass away. Your legacy contact can write a pinned post for your profile, respond to new friend requests, update your profile picture, and even download your Facebook data. To enable this feature, go to Settings, General, Manage Account and then Edit. Under the Legacy Contact tab, choose one of your current friends.
— PJ Amirata