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Facebook is developing a new anonymity app while also looking at ways to upgrade its messenger app into a private payment service.
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According to a report in The New York Times, the new app would allow users to communicate with one another without revealing their names. The reason for the service is to give people a platform on which to discuss issues and even be whistleblowers without being identified.
How many times have you heard about someone who was fired after foolishly criticizing his boss or workplace on Facebook? Now imagine a place where you can vent or even reveal abuses and possible violations of the law anonymously.
But there is also a huge drawback with such a service. It could allow people to reveal the private information of others or even stalk other people.
Chris Cox, Facebook’s chief product officer, said in a post about anonymity on the site, “The spirit of our policy is that everyone on Facebook uses the authentic name they use in real life. We believe this is the right policy for Facebook for two reasons. First, it’s part of what made Facebook special in the first place. By differentiating the service from the rest of the internet where pseudonymity, anonymity, or often random names were the social norm. Second, it’s the primary mechanism we have to protect millions of people every day, all around the world, from real harm.”
In other Facebook news, it seems that the firm has found yet another way to make money off of its more than one billion users. It is reportedly planning on using its messenger app to compete with payment services like Vemmo.
The free app would let users transfer money to friends and family alike for just about anything.
Think of all of those times when you did not have the cash for your share of the bill at a coffee shop or for your share of a cab ride. Now you will no longer need to feel like a cheapskate or a mooch as you would be able to use Facebook to transfer the money to your friend on the spot.
