GOSSIP HOTLINE

Oct 30th 2011, 20:13

Facebook has announced plans to introduce a new Trusted Friends feature, enabling designated friends to assist if members become locked out of their accounts. The world's biggest social network said that Trusted Friends involves users nominating three-to-five friends or family members, who can use a special code to prove their identity and unlock their profile. Currently in the testing phase, the scheme is also expected to benefit Facebook users who have had their email hacked, meaning they are unable to use the regular password recovery method. In a blog posting, the Facebook security team wrote that Trusted Friends - launched as part of National Cyberspace Security Month in the US - is similar to someone giving a friend a spare house key while they are on holiday. "We're excited to begin testing this new tool to help you in case you ever get locked out of your account," the team added. "Similar to other features that help you prove your identity through your friends, you can now select three to five trusted friends who can help you if you ever have issues accessing your account. It's sort of similar to giving a house key to your friends when you go on vacation - pick the friends you most trust in case you need their help. "If you forgot your password and need to log in but can't access your email account, you can rely on your friends to help you get back in. We will send codes to the friends you have selected and they can pass along that information to you." source