Facebook lets friends help unlock accounts

Facebook on Thursday began letting people locked out of their profiles get back in with the help of "friends."

A new Trusted Contacts account recovery feature lets Facebook users set up lists of friends who can provide codes to unlock accounts.

"With trusted contacts, there's no need to worry about remembering the answer to your security question or filling out long web forms to prove who you are," Facebook said in a security blog post.

"You can recover your account with help from your friends."

People can manage lists of trusted contacts using Facebook security settings. Members of the social network locked out of their accounts will need security codes from three friends to get back in, according to Facebook.

"Once you've set up your trusted contacts, if you ever have trouble logging in, you'll have your trusted contacts as an option to help," Facebook said.

"You just need to call your trusted contacts and let them know you need their help to regain access to your account."

© 2013 AFP