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Messenger (software)

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Messenger is a software application developed by Meta Platforms[1], previously known as Facebook[3], Inc. The initial release of the app occurred on August 9, 2011, and it has seen numerous updates across different operating systems since then. As of October 2023, the latest stable release for Android is 431.1.0.35.116, and for iOS[5], it’s 390.0. The software supports a wide range of operating systems, including Web, Android, iOS, Windows 10, Windows 11[4], Windows Phone, macOS, WatchOS, and Wear OS. Messenger has been involved in several legal cases, the most recent being FTC v. Meta Platforms. Originally named Facebook Chat, Messenger is also associated with Facebook’s IPO and has a dedicated version for kids called Messenger Kids[2]. In addition to basic messaging, the app has multiple other uses in electronics and computing.

Terms definitions
1. ↑ Meta Platforms ( Meta Platforms ) Meta Platforms, Inc. is a leading technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. It owns and operates a suite of popular digital platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. As one of the top American information technology companies, Meta's portfolio extends beyond social media, with acquisitions in virtual reality (Oculus), mapping (Mapillary), brain-computer interface technology (CTRL-Labs), and a strategic investment in Jio Platforms. The company heavily relies on advertising for revenue. It went public in 2012, raising $16 billion in one of the largest IPOs in US history. In recent years, Meta has shifted its focus towards building a metaverse, an integrated virtual environment, which led to its rebranding from Facebook in 2021. Despite facing challenges including data breaches, leadership changes, and changes in privacy regulations, the company continues to innovate in areas like artificial intelligence and new app development.
2. ↑ Messenger Kids ( Messenger Kids ) Messenger Kids is a child-friendly messaging application, developed and launched by Meta Platforms in December 2017. Initially available on iPad, it was later rolled out for iPhone and Android devices. The app is accessible in various countries including the US, Canada, Peru, and Mexico. Its primary focus is on promoting child safety and enabling parental oversight. The app offers unique features such as Augmented Reality (AR) filters, intriguing games, and enriching educational content. It ensures privacy and security by registering users by their names rather than phone numbers and avoiding in-app purchases, ads, and data collection for ads. Despite its COPPA certification, the app faced criticism from public figures and child development experts concerning data collection from minors and potential harmful impacts. However, it continues to play a significant role in the digital space for children.
Messenger (software) (Wikipedia)
For the kids version, see Messenger Kids.
For other uses, see Messenger § Electronics and computing.

Messenger, also known as Facebook Messenger, is an American proprietary instant messaging app and platform developed by Meta Platforms. Originally developed as Facebook Chat in 2008, the company revamped its messaging service in 2010, released standalone iOS and Android apps in 2011, and released standalone Facebook Portal hardware for Messenger calling in 2018. In April 2015, Facebook launched a dedicated website interface, Messenger.com, and separated the messaging functionality from the main Facebook app, allowing users to use the web interface or download one of the standalone apps. In April 2020, Facebook released a Messenger desktop app for Windows and macOS.

Messenger
Developer(s)Meta Platforms
Initial releaseAugust 9, 2011; 12 years ago (2011-08-09)
April 2020; 4 years ago (2020-04)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android431.1.0.35.116 Edit this on Wikidata / October 24, 2023; 5 months ago (October 24, 2023)
iOS390.0 Edit this on Wikidata / December 14, 2022; 15 months ago (December 14, 2022)
Windows1180.4.112.0 Edit this on Wikidata / August 18, 2021; 2 years ago (August 18, 2021)
macOS169.0 Edit this on Wikidata / November 17, 2022; 16 months ago (November 17, 2022)
Preview release(s) [±]
Android (Beta)437.0.0.17.230 Edit this on Wikidata / December 5, 2023; 4 months ago (December 5, 2023)
Android (Alpha)438.0.0.0.4 Edit this on Wikidata / December 3, 2023; 4 months ago (December 3, 2023)
Operating systemWeb, Android, iOS, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Phone, macOS, WatchOS, Wear OS
Size53.33 MB (Android)
124.1 MB (iOS)
169.4 MB (Windows 10 and Windows 11)
91.3 MB (macOS)
Available in111 languages
List of languages
Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Assamese, Azerbaijani, Basque, Belarusian, Bengali, Bosnian, Breton, Bulgarian, Burmese, Catalan, Cebuano, Corsican, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Dutch (België), English (UK), English (US), English (upside down), Esperanto, Estonian, Faroese, Filipino, Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), Frisian, Fula, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Guarani, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Japanese (Kansai), Javanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Kyrgyz, Lao, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malagasy, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Marathi, Mongolian, Nepali, Norwegian (bokmal), Norwegian (nynorsk), Oriya, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Sardinian, Serbian, Shona, Silesian, Simplified Chinese (China), Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Sorani Kurdish, Spanish, Spanish (Spain), Swahili, Swedish, Syriac, Tajik, Tamazight, Tamil, Tatar, Telugu, Thai, Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong), Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Welsh and Zaza
TypeInstant messaging, VoIP
LicenseFreeware, proprietary
Websitemessenger.com
facebook.com/messages

Messenger is used to send messages and exchange photos, videos, stickers, audio, and files, and also react to other users' messages and interact with bots. The service also supports voice and video calling. The standalone apps support using multiple accounts, conversations with optional end-to-end encryption, and playing games.

Alternative Meanings:
  • Messenger (software)
    Messenger is a software application developed by Meta Platforms, initially released on August 9, 2011. The application is available across multiple operating systems, including Web, Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, with regular updates and preview releases for Android Beta and Android Alpha. The software provides instant messaging services, enabling voice and video calls, group chats, and integration with the Facebook social platform. Additionally, Messenger offers a range of customization options to its users. A separate version, Messenger Kids, is specifically designed for children, ensuring a safe messaging environment with parental controls. Despite various legal cases, the application remains popular worldwide, facilitating global communication and influencing social interactions.
  • Messenger (software)
    Messenger, also known as Facebook Messenger, is an American proprietary instant messaging application developed by Meta Platforms. Since its initial release on August 9, 2011, it has been continually updated for various operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. The app offers a wide range of features for users, making it a widely used platform for instant messaging. It provides seamless communication services and diverse functionalities, integrating well with the Facebook platform. Messenger is a significant component of the Meta Platforms ecosystem, and it continues to evolve through regular updates and the addition of new features. Its development journey has also been marked by notable legal cases, including Young v. Facebook, Inc., Fraley v. Facebook, Inc., and Force v. Facebook, Inc.
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