Meta Rolls Out Direct Messaging on Threads, Letting Users Chat Without Switching to Instagram

Meta has officially started adding "Direct Messaging (DM)" capability to its Threads app, which is a text-based version of Instagram. People have been asking for a built-in DM feature on Threads since it came out in 2023.Now, starting in the first week of July, it's finally here.This change makes Threads more self-contained and useful because users no longer have to relocate to Instagram for personal conversations.

The messaging feature is rather simple for now.Users can initiate one-on-one chats, use preset emojis to respond, must chats, or report spam.Like Instagram's messaging setup, future updates are likely to add group messaging, message filters, and other settings.

But there are some problems.Only anyone over 18 can use direct texting for now, and it won't be available in Japan, Australia, the UK, or the EU just yet. Also, only followers and persons who follow each other on Instagram can send DMs to one other.

Another issue that is getting more attention is privacy.Threads DMs are not encrypted, unlike WhatsApp and some other platforms that do allow end-to-end encrypted messaging. A Meta spokesperson verified this and indicated that the company will keep working on the functionality based on what users say.

Users can tap the envelope icon at the bottom of the app to start a conversation.Then, in the top-right corner, they can tap the pencil icon to write a new message.

Threads is adding a new tool called Highlighter to DMs.This feature highlights posts that start important conversations.These featured posts will show up in the "For You" stream, which will help people find popular topics and interesting points of view.

Meta is also experimenting other account options in Europe, such letting people join in with Facebook or even browse Threads without logging in.This might help Threads become its own thing, separate from Instagram.

Information referenced in this article is from India Today