Facebook suspends Brexit-linked Canadian firm AggregateIQ over connection to Cambridge Analytica

No notifications were sent to those who had messages deleted, nor was there any disclosure that such a thing was even possible. Only recently has the social media company taken steps to secure user data. And let’s not forget that the company gave Zuckerberg and others the power to remove personal information, while at the same time distributing massive quantities of personal data to entities like Cambridge Analytica.

As the statement makes clear, it is not known quite when the “unsend” or “delete message” feature will be made available to everyone, and the claim that Facebook will not delete its own executives’ messages is something that will be very hard to monitor. Lots of users are viewing that move as a breach of trust.

Facebook has plans to introduce a new “unsend” feature in a bid to keep users on side. Facebook is facing calls to separate the chairman and CEO roles, and some investors and observers want more oversight of Zuckerberg, the founder of the company, who has a controlling stake. Initially its starting in the USA and expanding to the rest of the world in the coming months.

The news has wiped-off nearly $50 billion from Facebook’s market value as investors fear the Cambridge Analytica scandal could permanently damage the social network’s reputation, deter advertisers and invite tougher regulation.

Facebook’s newest feature for Messenger comes at a time when another controversy could be brewing for Facebook. It explained that during this time while it is working on the unsend feature that it will not be deleting the messages of any of its executives.

Facebook has also pointed out that similar tech has been available for Facebook Messenger already with an expiration timer for messages that can be set.

Facebook Messenger now offers a Secret Conversation mode where users can set a timer on when messages will be destroyed. “Mark is really sorry for that, and what we’re doing now is taking really firm action”. It’s only for mortals like you and me. Users dont have to ability to delete sent messages, but those at the top of the platform did so anyway, leaving the received messages intact.

“We’ve seen a few advertisers pause with us and they’re asking the same questions that other people are asking”, Sandberg said Thursday in an interview at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California.