A Facebook spokesman said the solution provided users with another way to recover their password and they could choose which method to use.
"In addition, while you might forget your security questions or never set one up, you never forget who your friends are."
As part of Trusted Contacts, when an account can't be accessed, Facebook will send different code numbers to your group of trusted contacts.
If you have three people listed, you will need three codes to regain access. But even when you have five friends selected, only three codes are needed.
"Not only are all selected friends needed to open the account, but also the person logging on still needs to get through our login security system which vets every single attempt to access an account," the spokesman said.
"We encourage users to choose friends they can trust and those who are unlikely to collude and gain access to an account. Similarly, you wouldn't trust your house keys to someone who may rob your house." Facebook suggests users talk to friends in person or over the phone to avoid an impersonator sweeping in via email or chat to access your account.
When it comes to New Zealand, Trusted Contacts can be chosen via Security Settings within your account at any time. Once the names are set, Facebook will notify them so they can be ready to step in and help when the time comes.
Facebook says this will "take the worry out of remembering the answer to your security question or filling out long web forms to prove who you are".
But to me this sounds like a bit of a hassle and more time, and something I would have to be really selective about.
Would you enable the feature? Comment below.
