Facebook is reportedly locking out some users who were required to activate Facebook Protect with two-factor authentication by the March 17 deadline. “Turn on Facebook Protect to unlock your account,” says the notification received by these users. “Account locked on March 17, 2022. We’ve taken this precaution to keep your account secure while you enable additional security measures,” adds the notification. Here’s what Facebook Protect is.
What is Facebook Protect
According to Facebook, Facebook Protect is a security program for groups of people that are more likely to be targeted by malicious hackers, such as human rights defenders, journalists, and government officials. These people are at the center of critical communities for public debate. They enable democratic elections, hold governments and organizations accountable, and defend human rights around the world. Unfortunately this also means that they are highly targeted by bad actors.
How Facebook Protect helps these users
Facebook claims that Facebook Protect helps these users to adopt stronger account security protections, like two-factor authentication, and monitors for potential hacking threats. As per the company, two-factor authentication — particularly by using third-party authentication apps — significantly improves the security of users’ online accounts.
Facebook expanded Facebook Protect in December last year
The social media giant had expanded its Facebook Protect security programme in December 2021.
When was Facebook Protect launched
Facebook first tested Facebook Protect in 2018 and expanded it ahead of the 2020 US election. The company began its global expansion in September 2021. “Since then, more than 1.5 million accounts have enabled Facebook Protect, and of those, nearly 950K accounts newly enrolled in two-factor authentication. We are on track to expand the program to more than 50 countries by the end of the year, including the United States, India, and Portugal,” the company said in December 2021.