Facebook Messenger now requires a Facebook account to join
Found on Tech Input on Sunday, 29 December 2019
If you want to sign up for Facebook Messenger, you can no longer escape Big Blue — you’ll need an account from now on. The company has stopped allowing new users to join using a phone number.
Facebook is working on unifying its suite of messaging apps including Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with the idea being that users will be able to message their friends no matter which app they’re using.
FB just keeps breaking promises it made in the past, so the best solution is never to sign up with it a all. There is nothing of value to be lost.