A communication device identifies presence of a user in proximity to the device. The communication device includes: at least one input device that captures biometric data associated with at least one user; a network interface device that connects the communication device to at least one second device via an external network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the other devices/components. The processor executes a messaging module to: receive biometric data from the at least one input device; determine if the biometric data matches reference biometric data associated with the at least one user. The processor further, in response to determining that the biometric data matches the reference biometric data associated with the at least one user: generates user presence data, the user presence data indicating that the at least one user is within a vicinity of the first communication device; and transmits the user presence data to the second device.