Meta to Discontinue Cross-Platform Chatting Between Instagram and Messenger
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has quietly revealed plans to end support for cross-app messaging between Instagram and Messenger. In a recent update to its help pages, Meta announced that starting in mid-December, communication between the two platforms will cease to function. This means that users will no longer be able to initiate new conversations with users from the other app, existing chat threads between the platforms will become read-only, and stored chats will not be moved to the inbox.
The integration of Messenger and Instagram’s messaging capabilities was only introduced by Meta in late 2020, as part of an effort to provide users with a seamless messaging experience across both platforms. At the time of the feature’s launch, Adam Mosseri, the lead of Instagram, and Stan Chudnovsky, the head of Messenger, highlighted the goal of making it easier for users to connect with friends and family.
The reason for Meta’s decision to eliminate cross-app messaging is not entirely clear. The move seems contradictory to the company’s mission of bringing people closer together and fostering community building. Instead, it appears to drive users further apart. Meta has not responded to inquiries regarding their decision.
Speculation arose from The New York Times, suggesting that the introduction of cross-app messaging in 2020 was primarily aimed at integrating Facebook’s products to make it more difficult for government regulators to enforce antitrust measures in the future. However, any plans Meta may have had to prevent an antitrust breakup were likely foiled with the introduction of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), earlier this year, which labeled Meta as a gatekeeper.
As a designated gatekeeper, Meta and its communication apps, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, are subject to stricter regulation in the EU. This includes requirements for third-party interoperability, something that Meta seems unwilling to enforce for Messenger. The company has been contesting the gatekeeper designation for Messenger and its Marketplace platform.
Meta’s argument is centered around positioning Messenger as a feature of Facebook, rather than a standalone platform. This stance would exempt it from the gatekeeper requirements defined by the DMA. It is unclear whether discussions between Meta and EU officials led to this recent decision regarding cross-app messaging, further details are yet to be confirmed.
The discontinuation of cross-platform chatting comes as a surprise to many users who were anticipating a more integrated messaging experience between Instagram and Messenger. The move raises questions about Meta’s long-term plans for its various platforms and the impact it may have on user engagement.
In conclusion, Meta’s decision to end cross-app messaging between Instagram and Messenger has left users disappointed and raises concerns about the company’s commitment to enhancing connectivity. It remains to be seen how this move will affect the social media landscape and whether it will prompt further scrutiny from regulators.
