Facebook-owned company Meta has announced that it will disconnect Messenger and Instagram chat by the end of this month. This means that users will no longer be able to start new chats or calls with Facebook friends from Instagram, and existing chats will become read-only.
Why is Meta disconnecting Messenger and Instagram chat?
In 2020, Meta introduced the optional cross-platform integration between Messenger and Instagram, allowing users to chat seamlessly with their friends across both platforms. This integration aimed to simplify communication and provide a more unified messaging experience. However, concerns about data privacy and potential antitrust issues have lingered since its inception.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act and its impact
The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect in November 2022, aiming to curb the dominance of tech giants and promote fair competition within the digital market. This act prohibits tech companies from combining personal data from different services and imposes strict rules on how they can target users with advertising.
Meta’s decision to disconnect Messenger and Instagram chat appears to be a preemptive measure to comply with the DMA and avoid potential regulatory sanctions. By separating the two messaging platforms, Meta may be hoping to demonstrate its commitment to data privacy and fair competition.
Impact on users
For users, this change means that they will need to switch between Messenger and Instagram to chat with different groups of friends. This could be inconvenient for those who regularly interact with both Facebook and Instagram contacts.
While Meta has not announced any plans to reintegrate Messenger and Instagram chat, the company may reconsider its decision if the DMA’s impact becomes less stringent or if it finds a way to address privacy and antitrust concerns effectively.
Read more:
- WhatsApp introduces original quality sharing with a limit of up to 2TB
- WhatsApp introduces alphanumeric ‘Secret Code’ feature to protect sensitive chats
- WhatsApp’s new email login feature is now available on iOS and Android
- Now, download Reels from public accounts on Instagram
- Instagram’s ‘My Week’ feature will keep stories visible for 7 days
