Facebook takes on Zoom with Messenger Rooms

Facebook hopes to take on Zoom and its ability to host video calls involving large groups of people with its new Messenger Rooms feature. And like Zoom, participants won't need to have a Facebook account to join. Users can host video chats with up to 50 people, and those without Facebook accounts will receive a link to the Room a Facebook user has created and then be redirected to a browser window. For Rooms created through a Facebook Group are open by default to Group members.

If you use the Messenger app to join a Zoom, you can use AR effects as well as new features like immersive backgrounds and mood lighting. The one who creates the Room gets to choose who can see and join the chat. They can remove anyone from the call at any time or lock the Room if they don't want anyone else to join. Participants can leave anytime they want, too. Messenger Rooms have no time limit whatsoever.

Messenger Rooms are designed to be a bit more informal than the more business-oriented videoconferencing tools. It's meant more for chats with friends, family, and other more personal groups. It isn't end-to-end encrypted, though, so that might be a cause of concern for some. But Facebook assures that it has built-in defenses to prevent unwanted guests from virtual rooms.

"There are tools to kick people out easily; lock rooms, or close them if things are going badly," Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said while briefing AFP about Rooms.

It's a valid concern, considering Zoom became infamous for Zoombombing. Malicious characters are entering Zoom chats and bombarding these with unsavory images and other forms of harassment, causing some schools and businesses to stop using the service.

Facebook also assures that the company isn't listening in on or viewing these calls.

Source: GSMArena + Agence France-Presse via ABS-CBN