In efforts to consolidate functions and improve compatibility, Facebook is contemplating the integration of its three platforms– Messenger, Instagram, and Whats App. This merge would allow users to seamlessly send messages between the three entities.
The Guardian credits The New York Times with this newly released information, claiming the execution came from CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself. “[The plans] would involve rewriting the basic software of the three apps to ensure they were interoperable. A WhatsApp user would be able to, for instance, text an Instagram user for the first time without needing to switch applications,” they wrote.
Facebook told The Guardian, “We’re working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks. As you would expect, there is a lot of discussion and debate as we begin the long process of figuring out all the details of how this will work.”
With this innovative concept comes concerned critics who believe this merger is anything but good-willed towards users. Cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University, Matthew Green, said this adjustment “could be potentially be good or bad for security/privacy”.
“…[G]iven recent history and financial motivations of Facebook, I wouldn’t bet my lunch money on ‘good’. Now is a great time to start moving important conversations off those services,” he urged.
