Meta has announced that it will be disconnecting Messenger and Instagram chat starting mid-December 2023.
This means that users will no longer be able to send messages to Facebook friends from Instagram, and existing conversations will become read-only. While Meta has not provided a specific reason for the change, it is speculated that it may be due to regulatory compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Once cross-app communication isn’t available:
- You won’t be able to start new conversations or calls with Facebook accounts from Instagram.
- Any existing chats on Instagram that you’ve had with Facebook accounts will become read-only, even if these Facebook accounts are removed from the chat. This means that you and others with Instagram accounts can’t send new messages in these chats.
- Facebook accounts won’t be able to view your Activity Status or whether you’ve seen a message.
- Any existing chats you’ve had with Facebook accounts won’t move to your inbox on Facebook or Messenger.
The DMA, which was passed in 2022, is designed to prevent large tech companies from abusing their market power and stifle competition.
