The new Facebook Messenger app has permission to take pictures and videos without your confirmation and to call numbers without intervention causing unexpected charges, according to its terms and conditions.

Facebook users are being forced to download the app on their phone if they want to continue using the mobile messenger service, after Facebook decided to make the function a separate app. The requirement follows a period of transition where users were still able to access the messenger service within the Facebook app.

Technology blogs have pointed out some of the new permission requests on the new Messenger app on Android allow access to the personal data on your phone.

Some of the terms and conditions included:

- Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity.

- Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.

- Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.

- Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.

- Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.

- Allows the app to read your phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.

- Allows the app to read data about your contacts stores on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.

While the permissions appear to invade users privacy, Facebook has posted this explanation:

-The permission to take photos and videos allows users to take photos and videos within the Messenger app, so that they can be easily sent to contacts.

-The permission to record audio allows users to send voice messages, make free voice calls, and send videos within Messenger.

-The permission to directly call phone numbers allows users to call a Messenger contact by tapping on the person's phone number.

-The permission to receive text messages allows users to confirm a phone number added to a Messenger account by sending a confirmation code via text message.

- The permission to read your contacts allows users to access phone contacts as Messenger contacts, but this can be switched off by visiting Messenger settings.

The app has been downloaded over a billion times, despite the reported privacy concerns.



