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Facebook Should Be Made to Adopt Open Source Solutions Warns Expert

Facebook is trying to unify its messaging services, potentially causing a monopoly. One expert believes the company should be regulatory mandated to use open source technology.

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As we have reported recently, is working on creating a unified technology platform for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. Development is in progress ahead of a 2020 launch of the technology. If successful, Facebook will create a messaging platform that has 2.6 billion users and plenty of growth ahead.

While the early noise suggests Mark Zuckerberg wants to do this to rebuild reputation and create a more secure environment, there are a some concerns. For example, by unifying three major services (that until now have operated independently) could make user profiling easier.

Apparently all messages will be encrypted, but Facebook could monitor which contacts you spend the most time with and follow viewing to target ads across Instagram, , and .

Pranesh Prakash, a Fellow at the Center for Internet and Society and part of the New America think tank, says regulators should force Facebook to use solutions. Prakesh voiced the opinion following some calls for the company to be broken up as it is clearly close to creating a messaging monopoly.

Whether that's true or not, Prakesh points out Facebook currently uses in-house technology and does not mix with many third parties. He says users can become easily trapped in Facebook's ecosystem and won't explore alternatives because all contacts are on Facebook services.

Unifying

The New York Times reports Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to merge all of the company's messaging services. That means WhatsApp and Messenger will be integrated, and you can throw Instagram into the mix too.

Zuckerberg is attempting to repair Facebook's damaged reputation following a 2018 filled with scandal. The under-fire founder of the company believes creating a unified technology will help. Not least because WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram can all now have end-to-end .

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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