New Delhi: This is one Facebook notification you truly would never want to receive.
The social networking giant has introduced a new feature that will alert users if their account is being snooped on by the US’ National Security Agency or such government-sponsored agents.
In a post, Alex Stamos, chief security officer at Facebook, notes that users’ account privacy is important to the company and thus, it continuously monitors malevolent activities and provides a multitude of options to safeguard user accounts.
To address this, users will be shown an additional warning if Facebook has a strong suspicion that an attack could be government-sponsored.
By showing these warnings, Stamos explains that they do not indicate any compromise of the Facebook platform or system. It may indicate that the user’s computer or mobile device has been infected with malware and miscreants might be taking advantage of it.
The notification is to help users rebuild or replace affected systems and take necessary steps to protect their privacy. It will also prompt an option to customise Login Approvals so that unauthorised access to the account is thwarted.
Facebook further explains that it will not attribute certain attacks to suspected attackers to protect the integrity of its methods and processes unless circumstances require.
This comes amidst the growing concern and debate around Internet privacy of citizens following the mega trove of classified information leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden about US and UK government’s snooping program on unsuspecting citizens in a bid to thwart global terrorism.
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