Facebook is promising a "new chapter" for its users – with a host of changes on the way for its most popular apps.
Company founder Mark Zuckerberg said many of the changes are aimed at bolstering privacy after a torrid year of scandals around data, harmful content, election meddling and data confidentiality.
Addressing the company's two-day developer conference in San Jose, California, he said the platform will introduce several changes to increase data security.
"I know we don't exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly," he said. "I am committed to doing this well."
He outlines six principles the company will focus on moving forward in its bid to tackle privacy issues:
- Private interactions
- Encryption
- Content that expires after a certain time period
- Safety
- Interoperability
The changes mean Instagram will no longer show followers how many likes a photo has achieved – while it will also be possible to share content that does not include a photo or a video.
It is also adding a way to purchase products directly through creator’s profiles – and a new fundraising feature in Instagram stories.
Here's a closer look at FB5, including Dark Mode for web, coming soon. pic.twitter.com/Z55iUOdekr
— Facebook (@facebook) April 30, 2019
Facebook is getting rid of its trademark blue app – with a re-design that includes a new circular logo and a mostly white background.
Facebook groups have been handed a more prominent placement in the app with a number of new features.
The Messenger app is set to be upgraded to a smaller, faster version that the company said will launch in “well under” two seconds.
Messenger is also set for a new feature that will allow people to watch videos together in groups. It will also be handed a desktop app.
The company is adding end-to-end encryption for all calls and is to be added to the company’s Portal video calling service.
It is also getting a new secure payment service and "product catalogue" for WhatsApp Business.
