Ever have the feeling that you can’t keep up with Facebook’s latest changes and developments? You’re not the only one. Hot off the press this week is news of their latest app – Rooms. It’s iOS only, it’s anonymous – and it has more in common with 90s style chat rooms than it does with Facebook!
To access Rooms, users scan a 2D barcode, which can be shared publicly or privately to invite only a small selection of people to chat. Once in, they can choose whatever name they like. The app is completely separate from Facebook. It does not require users to have a Facebook account, nor does it allow users to import lists of friends. Moderators of each room can filter content requiring approval to post and ban anyone, blocking their device from re-joining. Unlike the original message boards, it’s not “anything goes”; Facebook’s community standard guidelines will apply, banning abusive behaviour and the sharing of certain types of material like child abuse images.
Rooms can also have an age rating, although bypassing the age gate is incredibly easy – just hit the “Yes, I’m over 18” button. Age is not verified. Rooms does not require a Facebook account to use, only an email address to log in again if switching between devices.
The invitation process means each room can be as public or private as its owner and members wish. The invite codes can be posted anywhere online – we’ve seen several on Instagram already – or shared among a select group of people. It’s a very different approach from Facebook itself where CEO Mark Zuckerberg has always insisted that people use their real name. Facebook product manager Josh Miller says: “It doesn’t matter where you live, what you look like or how old you are – all of us are the same size and shape online.”
Each room can also be customised to a certain level of privacy, including whether or not it can be discovered via search. Think Facebook groups with identity hidden – looking forward to seeing how brands will utilise this app in the future.
By Kate Tyler
Kate is MD of Shake Social Ltd and a self confessed social media geek.
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Kate Tyler is the founder of Shake Social and our long time social media expert. A regular speaker at events, Kate offers consultancy and training on a range of digital marketing topics, in particular safeguarding and using social media in an educational setting.