If you thought Facebook Inc’s privacy woes could not get any more complicated than they already were, the social media giant has opened up a whole new avenue of tinfoil hat conspiracy theories thanks to the introduction of in-app payments to the Facebook Messenger mobile app.

Facebook announced the feature in a rather sudden and somewhat sparse blog post this afternoon, which said, “Today we’re adding a new feature in Messenger that gives people a more convenient and secure way to send or receive money between friends. This feature will be rolling out over the coming months in the US.”

The company is quick to point out that the service is completely secure and safe to use, saying that Facebook is already “a dependable and trusted payments processor for game players and advertisers.” According to Facebook, all financial information transmitted by the app is encrypted, and there are “layers of software and hardware protection that meet the highest industry standards.”

So privacy and security concerns aside, who exactly is this feature for? With many people forgoing paper currency in favor of electronic payments, paying back friends has become something of a hassle. Rather than stopping by the ATM or writing a check for that $2 burrito, the new Messenger feature will allow that money to be sent almost as easily as handing over the cash.

Of course, there are numerous other ways the new tool can be used, such as parents sending money to a college student or coworkers exchanging birthday gifts in the most impersonal way possible.

How it works

The new payment feature is free and almost disturbingly easy to use. When first using Facebook Messenger to send or receive payments, users will be asked to enter a Visa or MasterCard debit card linked to a U.S. bank account. Then, they simply open a message, tap the “$” symbol, and enter an amount. That’s it.

The payment information can be further secured by creating a unique PIN for in-app payments, and iOS device users can enable Touch ID. Facebook also points out that other forms of authentication can be added, such as a two-step verification process.

Facebook notes that while the money is transferred immediately, it may not be available for use for up to three business days depending on your bank’s policies.

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