In a surprising turn of events, Meta has decided to discontinue the feature that allows users to chat with Facebook friends on Instagram. This change, set to take effect in mid-December 2023, marks a significant shift from the integration introduced in 2020.
The Integration’s Brief History
The cross-platform messaging feature, announced in 2019 and implemented a year later, blurred the boundaries between Facebook and Instagram, two of Meta’s flagship platforms. Loredena Crisan, Messenger VP, compared this integration to the interoperability between different email services like Gmail and Yahoo. However, this ambitious initiative is now being rolled back.
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Implications for Users
Starting mid-December, Instagram users will no longer be able to initiate new chats or calls with Facebook friends. Existing conversations between Facebook and Instagram accounts will become read-only, and Facebook users will lose the ability to see activity statuses or read receipts on Instagram. Furthermore, existing chats will not be transferred to inboxes on either platform.
Regulatory Concerns: A Driving Factor?
While Meta hasn’t explicitly stated the reason for this decision, speculation points towards regulatory pressures, particularly from the European Union. The EU’s Digital Markets Act, passed in 2022, aims to prevent monopolistic practices by major tech platforms. Under this act, companies exceeding a certain revenue threshold and deemed overly dominant can face penalties up to 10% of their global turnover. This regulatory environment may have influenced Meta’s decision to discontinue the cross-platform messaging feature, avoiding potential risks and sanctions.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
Meta’s move to end cross-platform messaging between Facebook and Instagram reflects the complex interplay between technological innovation and regulatory compliance. As tech giants navigate these waters, users in the Asia Pacific region and beyond will continue to witness the evolving landscape of digital communication and social media.
