If the Person Is Not a Friend on Facebook, Can He Read My Message? (2024)

Member privacy settings can be adjusted to limit or prevent nearly any type of Facebook activity. Messaging, though, is one of the few features that are virtually untouchable by privacy restrictions. This type of communication enables members to send and receive messages with friends and non-friends alike. The only control lies in message delivery. Filtering preferences may make it a bit tricky to find non-friends' messages. Blocking is the only guarantee that a Facebook user will not be able to read your messages.

Message Filtering

You can send a message to anyone on Facebook, regardless of friend status or privacy settings. The only exception applies to members you've blocked and those who've blocked you. Filtering preferences may inadvertently cause messages to go unseen, even though they have been delivered. With basic filtering, members typically receive all messages in the main folder of their inbox. Strict filtering means that most of the messages in your main inbox will be from friends, while messages from non-friends are directed to your "Other" folder. Filter preferences can be adjusted by clicking the "Other" link at the top of your "Messages" page, selecting "Edit Preferences" and choosing "Basic" or "Strict. Facebook does not notify members upon the receipt of "Other" messages.

Private Messages

The Facebook messaging feature is designed to facilitate private communication between Facebook members. There are several ways to send a message on Facebook. When you click the "Message" button at the top of a member's profile, a dialog box appears. That member's settings and chat status will determine how and where he receives that message. It may go to his inbox, mobile device or to the pop-up chat box in the lower right corner of his Facebook screen. Regardless of delivery, the message is a one-to-one communication between the sender and the recipient. Nobody else will be able to read that message. Group messages are another type of private message, offering the same privacy standards as messages between two people, but on a multi-person basis. When a group message involves people who are not directly connected, but share a mutual friend, that message can be seen by all recipients.

Status Updates

Your privacy settings determine the visibility of your Timeline and all of the status updates, photos and content it contains. Many members adjust their privacy settings to prevent non-friends from seeing non-public posts on their Timelines. To change privacy settings, click the gear-shaped icon in the upper right corner of any page and select the "Privacy Settings" option. Use the tabs in the left side panel of the resulting page to control the visibility of the content you post. When you post a message, or any other content, in the "What's On Your Mind" box at the top of your home page, your chosen privacy settings will be applied. Use the audience selector tool in the lower right corner of the box to determine who can see that particular post without changing your default privacy settings for previous and future posts. Selecting "Public" for that post makes it visible to anyone on the social network, which means that non-friends can read it.

Blocking

The exception applies to Facebook members you add to your block list. When you block someone, virtually every connection between you is removed. Your Timeline and any past, present and future activity become invisible to him. Blocking is mutual, which means you can't see his Facebook presence either. Some content, including mutual friends' photos and message history, will still be visible after a block is initiated. However, neither party can send a new message to the other once blocked, and old messages can be deleted from each person's message history.

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