Meta Posts Friction-Maxing Tool Goes Viral Amid Privacy Concerns

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the live rollout of a new privacy-focused feature in Meta’s messaging platform, designed to maximize data minimization by default. The tool, launched on February 7, 2026, automatically reduces data sharing with third-party trackers and advertisers, effective immediately across Messenger and WhatsApp. The move follows heightened regulatory scrutiny and user backlash over data practices. User testing showed a 32% reduction in data sent to external trackers within the first hour of activation.