Privacy and other matters with Facebook’s video-call gadget


  • TECH
  • Wednesday, 02 Jan 2019

FILE - This file image provided by Facebook shows the company's product called Portal. It's rare that a new gadget these days serves a true need. Rather, it creates a want. You certainly don’t need the Facebook Portal, whose primary purpose is to let you make video calls through Messenger. But - given you can get past the company’s shoddy record on protecting user privacy, a big if - do you want it? Or one of its would-be rivals from Amazon or Google? (Facebook via AP, File)

NEW YORK: It's rare that a new gadget these days serves a true need. Rather, it creates a want. 

You certainly don't need the Facebook Portal, whose primary purpose is to let you make the types of video calls you can already make on Facebook's Messenger app. And given the company's poor record on user privacy, do you even want it? Or a similar device from Amazon or Google? 

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