Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to disconnect Messenger and Instagram chats. As a result, users won’t be able to send messages between the two platforms, all to make the messaging services safer and more secure.
Following Meta’s earlier announcement of postponing the introduction of end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Instagram chats until 2023, this choice has been made. The company is dedicated to enhancing the safety of its messaging services through initiatives like educating users, especially young people, about avoiding unwanted interactions within the apps. Additionally, Meta is enforcing community standards on Messenger and Instagram direct messages through the implementation of end-to-end encryption.
Table of Contents
Communication between Messenger and Instagram chats
- Starting from mid-December 2023, chatting with people on Instagram from a Facebook profile will no longer be possible.
- After cross-app communication is disabled:
- New conversations or calls with Instagram accounts cannot be initiated from a Facebook profile.
- Existing Messenger chats with Instagram accounts will become read-only, even if those Instagram accounts are later removed from the chat. This means that new messages cannot be sent in these chats by you or others with Facebook accounts.
- Instagram accounts will lose the ability to see your Active Status or whether you’ve viewed a message.
- Existing chats with Instagram accounts will not be transferred to your inbox on Instagram.
To keep chatting with Instagram accounts, initiate a new conversation with them through your Instagram account.
The reason behind the separation of Messenger and Instagram Chats
The reason for the change is unclear, but it might be connected to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires big companies to enable interoperability between messaging platforms. WhatsApp, another product from Meta, is already working on a “Third-Party Chats” feature to comply with the DMA.
The European Union introduced the DMA in 2022 to stop large tech companies, known as “gatekeepers,” from dominating the tech industry. The law mandates these companies to enable messaging platform interoperability and be supervised by the EU.
Why did Meta delay the rollout of end-to-end encryption?
Every day, 2.8 billion people use Meta’s apps. Meta delayed adding end-to-end encryption to Instagram and Messenger chats until 2023 because child safety advocates were worried it could help wrongdoers. They’re taking their time to make sure it’s done right, using non-encrypted data, account info, and user reports to keep users safe and help law enforcement.
You Might Also Like To Read
GTA 6 Trailer is Finally Here! Mind-Blowing Graphics
Curious about WhatsApp Secret Codes for locked chats? Find out more!
FAQ’s
How many people use Meta’s apps every day?
Every day, 2.8 billion people use Meta’s apps.
Why did Meta delay adding end-to-end encryption to Instagram and Messenger chats until 2023?
Meta postponed the introduction of end-to-end encryption due to concerns from child safety advocates. They were worried that implementing such changes might assist wrongdoers. Meta is taking its time to ensure a careful implementation, utilizing a mix of non-encrypted data, account information, and user reports to enhance user safety and aid law enforcement.
Why is Meta disconnecting Messenger and Instagram chats?
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is disconnecting Messenger and Instagram chats to improve the safety and security of its messaging services.
Why was the introduction of end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Instagram chats postponed until 2023?
Meta delayed the implementation of end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Instagram chats until 2023. This decision aligns with Meta’s commitment to enhancing the safety of its messaging services.
How is Meta working towards improving the safety of its messaging services?
Meta is dedicated to enhancing safety by educating users, particularly young people, on avoiding unwanted interactions within the apps. Additionally, the company is enforcing community standards on Messenger and Instagram direct messages through the implementation of end-to-end encryption.
