Meta owns three important social networking and communication apps: Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. A couple of years ago, the company started integrating all three platforms so that users have a more seamless experience while communicating with family and friends. However, it is now reversing the course, starting with the disconnection of Facebook Messenger and Instagram chats.
Meta will start the disconnection process of Facebook Messenger and Instagram chats in mid-December 2023, as spotted by 9To5Google. Instagram's support webpage reveals that its users will no longer be able to chat with Facebook accounts starting this month. Once the disconnection process starts, Instagram users won't be able to start new conversations or calls with Facebook accounts. Moreover, any existing chats between the two platforms will become read-only, and no new messages can be sent or received in such chat threads.
Facebook accounts won't be able to view the activity status of Instagram accounts or whether the message they sent has been read. Moreover, existing chat threads between Facebook Messenger and Instagram accounts won't move to the inbox section on either platform.
While Meta didn't reveal the reason for this change, it is expected that the decision has been made due to Europe’s DMA (Digital Markets Act). This act requires large companies like Apple, Google, and Meta to offer interoperability with other messaging platforms. So, it is possible that Meta is disconnecting Facebook Messenger and Instagram chats to prepare a newer interoperability method that is compliant with the DMA.
