Instagram and Facebook Messenger Cross-App Chats Ending Soon, Says Meta

In a surprising turn of events, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is set to sever the connection between Messenger and Instagram, putting an end to the much-touted " cross-app chats " feature initially promised for a seamless messaging experience.

# Unraveling the Messaging Disconnect

Initially heralded in 2020 as a move to revolutionize communication across its platforms, the decision to retract this integration comes three years after the ambitious announcement.

# The End of Cross-App Chats

By mid-December 2023, Meta will phase out the ability to engage in cross-app conversations between Messenger and Instagram. According to the company's updated support page, users will face several changes in their messaging experience:

1. Communication Restrictions:
Users will lose the ability to initiate new conversations or calls with Facebook accounts from within the Instagram platform.

2. Read-Only Conversations:
Existing chats on Instagram involving Facebook accounts will become read-only. Even if these Facebook accounts are removed from the chat, users with Instagram accounts won't be able to send new messages in these conversations.

3. Privacy Shields:
Facebook accounts will no longer have access to view the Activity Status or determine if a message has been seen by the recipient.

4. No Transition of Chats:
Previous chats with Facebook accounts on Instagram will not transition to the inbox on Facebook or Messenger.

# Adapting to the Change

To maintain conversations with Facebook accounts, users will need to initiate new chats with them on Messenger or Facebook from their respective Facebook accounts.

# Reasons Behind the Decision

While Meta has not explicitly stated the rationale for this sudden shift, speculations arise regarding Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA). This regulatory framework obligates significant companies to ensure interoperability among messaging platforms.

The decision to discontinue cross-app chats might align with Meta's efforts to streamline operations and comply with DMA's requirements for wider interoperability within Messenger. Simultaneously, Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly developing a "Third-Party Chats" feature, likely aimed at adhering to the DMA regulations.

This move hints at a strategic overhaul within Meta's messaging ecosystem, signaling a conscious pivot to adhere to evolving regulatory landscapes while redefining the user experience across its platforms.