Instagram and Facebook Messenger Cross-App Chats to End Soon

Recently, Meta, the company that owns Facebook, announced that they'll be stopping the ability for Instagram and Facebook Messenger to message each other. This change will happen in mid-December 2023, three years after they first combined the two apps to make messaging easier for everyone.

Following the discontinuation, several significant changes will take effect, including the inability to initiate new conversations or calls with Facebook accounts from Instagram. Existing chats with Facebook accounts on Instagram will become read-only, preventing the exchange of new messages. Furthermore, Facebook accounts will no longer have access to the activity status or read receipts of Instagram users, and existing chats with Facebook accounts will not be migrated to the user's inbox on Facebook or Messenger.

• 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.

While Meta has not provided a specific reason for this change, speculations point to the potential influence of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA aims to prevent large companies from gaining monopoly power and includes strict requirements for platform interoperability. Notably, Meta's other product, WhatsApp, is reportedly preparing to comply with the DMA through a "Third-Party Chats" feature.

The option to continue conversations with Facebook accounts will be available by initiating new chats with them on Messenger or Facebook from the respective Facebook accounts. The decision to discontinue this specific cross-platform chatting feature may be indicative of Meta's efforts to navigate regulatory landscapes and ensure compliance with evolving legislative frameworks.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it remains important for users to stay informed about changes impacting their messaging experiences across various platforms. The discontinuation of cross-app communication between Instagram and Messenger serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of digital platforms and the ongoing regulatory developments shaping the future of online communication.