Meta is initiating the process of severing the capability for “cross-app chats” with your Instagram connections via Facebook Messenger, and vice versa.
In 2020, Meta, then known as Facebook, unveiled plans to integrate its Messenger functionality with Instagram, aiming to enhance the chatting experience on the latter platform and ensuring users had access to the best messaging experience regardless of the app used.
Users could communicate with Facebook friends and Instagram contacts from either app by choosing to “update” the messaging experience. But, it seems the cross-app chats feature is about to come to an end.
According to The Verge, a Meta spokesperson confirmed the change in a statement, “A few years ago, we introduced a new Messenger experience in Instagram DMs which enabled people to message and call a FB account (Messenger) from an Instagram account and vice versa,” spokesperson Alex Dziedzan said.
“Starting in mid-December, we will begin removing this feature. However, people can continue to message and call their contacts on Facebook, Instagram or Messenger.”
The reason behind Meta’s decision to remove this feature remains undisclosed, but speculation suggests a connection to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation includes mandates for major companies to provide interoperability between messaging platforms.
Notably, another product from Meta, WhatsApp, is reportedly gearing up for a “Third-Party Chats” feature, a move that is seen as an effort to align with the requirements set forth by the DMA.
