In the coming weeks, Facebook will begin to launch new consumer-focused apps under the developer name “NPE Team, from Facebook.”
Here’s the announcement:
NPE Team apps will be aligned with Facebook’s mission of giving people the power to build community but will focus on shipping entirely new experiences. We decided to use this separate brand name to help set the appropriate expectations with users that NPE Team apps will change very rapidly and will be shut down if we learn that they’re not useful to people.
At Facebook, we’re committed to giving people control over their personal data and to protecting privacy across our family of apps, including future apps from NPE Team. This means that we work hard to keep people’s information secure and will leverage our internal tools, systems, and expertise inside the company for future NPE products. The services offered by NPE Team will be governed by Facebook’s Terms of Service, Data Policy, and NPE Team Supplemental Terms that will post in the coming weeks in advance of apps shipping.
You can find more information about NPE Team below.
FAQ
What is NPE Team?
NPE Team, LLC, is a developer name that Facebook will use to launch new apps focused on giving people entirely new experiences for building community. It will always be presented to people as “NPE Team, from Facebook.”
What does NPE stand for?
NPE stands for New Product Experimentation, the name of the team.
What is the purpose of apps released using the NPE Team name?
This is a way for Facebook to develop new types of experiences for people and to try different ideas by creating small, focused apps in order to see whether people find certain features useful or engaging. We may use what we learn to help inform our thinking and product strategy moving forward.
Why not launch these apps using the Facebook developer name?
We decided to create this separate developer name to help set the appropriate expectations with people that, unlike Facebook’s family of apps, NPE Team apps will change very rapidly and will be shut down if we learn that they’re not useful to people. We expect many failures. We also want to minimize disruption to the billions of people who use Facebook apps every day.
Where can I find apps released using the NPE Team name?
The apps will be available in the Apple App Store, in the Google Play Store, and on the web.
Will apps be made available to everyone?
Availability will depend on the app.
What data will you collect?
No apps are live yet. At Facebook, we’re committed to giving people control over their personal data and to protecting privacy across our family of apps, including future apps from NPE Team. The services offered by NPE Team will be governed by Facebook’s Terms of Service, Data Policy, and NPE Team Supplemental Terms that will post in the coming weeks in advance of apps shipping.
What happens to the users and the data once these apps are shut down?
For future NPE Team apps, we will always seek to clearly inform people on the use of their personal data. The services offered by NPE Team will be governed by Facebook’s Terms of Service, Data Policy, and NPE Team Supplemental Terms that will post in the coming weeks in advance of apps shipping.
Will user activity on these apps show up on Facebook?
Some apps may allow people to connect their Facebook account using Login with Facebook; others might not. In cases where apps ask people to connect their Facebook account, the NPE Team app will appear in the “Apps and Websites” section of their Facebook settings.
Will users be forced to log in with Facebook?
Not all NPE Team apps will use Login with Facebook.
