In early March, a number of Facebook users were sent mysterious emails that looked like spam emails. Users who receive this email are at risk of being banned from Facebook if they ignore the email.
The email with the caption "Your account requires advanced security from Facebook Protect", which I have to admit, looks like spam. But actually, it was an official email from Facebook.
Facebook has a new feature called Facebook Protect, which is an additional security program for people who are at high risk of being the target of cyberattacks. For example, humanitarian activists, journalists, or government employees.
Through Facebook Protect, these people's accounts will get additional security. That is, the account will continue to be monitored from hacking threats and the account will be protected by two factor authentication (2FA).
Unfortunately, Facebook sent the email from the address security@facebookmail.com, which at first glance, looks like an email address commonly used in spam emails. So it seems that many are ignoring the email.
The email stated the deadline for the selected people to activate Facebook Protect. Although the dates are different, the first deadline is March 17th, and now there are several 'victims' whose accounts have been blocked.
I got locked out from Facebook indefinitely today because I didn't respond to emails from FB (that looked like a scam) about its new Facebook Protect system, which I was required to enable by today. So far, the text and security key options don't work, many reports. pic.twitter.com/0aXbiqzLv7
— Liv. (@Olivia_Thiessen) March 18, 2022
The 'victims' complained about the problem on Twitter and a number of other social media. However, there are also users who claim to have activated Facebook Protect but are still blocked, and there are also those who claim that the SMS-based 2FA system used does not work.
Dear @FacebookApp: Your new Facebook Protect, which I didn't ask for, keeps texting me an identical two-factor verification code, which continues to not work. I'm now effectively locked out of my account. This is heightened security? Guess I'll spend more time on Twitter… @Meta
— Mike Morrell (@RealMikeMorrell) March 18, 2022
There are also those who complain that they cannot activate it even though it has been done before the deadline has passed. So they were blocked from Facebook.
In his statement, Nathaniel Gleicher, head of security policy at Meta, said that his party would resolve issues where people might need to be re-enrolled in the program.