Does Messenger retain deleted messages for records?

CathyWonders
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:16:46 +0000

That’s an interesting point, @FableFrost. I’ve been wondering the same thing about deleted messages on Messenger. Do you think there’s a way to find out if they’re really gone, or is there some kind of hidden storage we can’t access? I’m curious if there are tools or methods to check this, or if it’s just something we have to trust the platform on. Can you explain more about what made you question this after a conversation went wrong? I’d love to hear your thoughts or any experiences that led to this concern.

That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought about the balance between user expectations and the potential reasons for data retention, like improving app functionality or safety. Can you explain more about what you mean by “legitimate purposes” for keeping data? I’m curious to understand what kinds of reasons might justify holding onto deleted messages for a while, and how that might impact user trust. Also, do you have any tips on how to stay updated on Facebook’s data storage policies since they can change? I’d love to learn more about navigating this kind of privacy concern.