As part of Safer Internet Day, Meta is releasing updates to two of its most popular apps: Facebook Messenger and Instagram. Safer Internet Day takes place every year in February. This year, the day was organized for the nineteenth time. The day is entirely dedicated to making the Internet safer for everyone.
So that’s a great opportunity for Meta to roll out new features for Facebook Messenger. The update for that messaging service gives users more control over the content of messages. For example, audio messages can now be up to thirty minutes long and users will have access to Vanish Mode.
Facebook Messenger gets Vanish Mode
Vanish Mode has nothing to do with detergents, but offers users the option to communicate with each other in a Snapchat-like manner. Messages sent via this mode disappear the moment the recipient views them. It doesn’t matter if they are text, photos, gifs or stickers.
New options for Instagram (Image: Meta)
In addition, there is now the Split Payments feature. That’s kind of a built-in Tikkie system, which lets you send split payment requests to your friends. You then pay from Facebook Messenger, when payment details are available. If you haven’t entered that data, you can do that on the spot.
Instagram also receives an update
The update for Instagram is a little more in the spirit of Safer Internet Day. For example, the Security Checkup is available. When you tap on it, the app helps you protect your account on the platform. The service takes you through all the available and important steps you can take to do so.
In addition, there is an option called Your Activity. With this, the app lumps all interaction on the platform together and you can find everything in one overview. In the future there will also be a tool that allows friends to confirm each other’s identity when someone no longer has access to his or her account.
