Facebook on Monday updated their messenger app with facial recognition to make it easier and faster to share photos.

Tech Crunch reported that the social network's new "Photo Magic" will look into user's photos and recommend the ones to share with their friends using artificial intelligence. This feature is similar to facial recognition which prompts users to tag a friend when they upload photos on Facebook.

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This app is aimed to speed up the photo sharing process on the social network. The app will send a notification to  users after identifying a photo with particular friends and directs users to share the photo with them. UserS can tap on the notification to instantly send the picture.

Users who decide to send a photo to their friends would use this Messenger chat, instead of posting it on the friend's wall. The application recognizes multiple friends in photos and will open a chat thread to everyone who is involved.

Earlier this year, Facebook launched its 'Moments photo app' and was criticized by some privacy groups for the reason that it requires users to go into their privacy settings. Watch groups like the Center for Digital Democracy argued that Facebook, Google and other consumer tech companies should request permission before they use a facial recognition software on their users' photos.

According to the president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) Marc Rotenberg, "the Problem with facial recognition generally is that the user who is tagged may not have consented to the use of their image in this way."

He added that "the FTC needs to look at the Facebook announcement closely and then issue a public determination as to whether it complies with the consent order. EPIC's view is that it does not."

This updated Facebook Messenger Android app will be rolled out starting in Australia on Monday. The iOS version for this app is expected to come out within the coming weeks and months.

TagsFacebook Messenger, Facebook Apps, Facebook Privacy