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Threads Launches Its Own DM Inbox, Moving Further Away From Instagram
Meta’s social media platform, Threads, has taken a significant step forward by introducing its own direct messaging (DM) feature. This move signifies the app’s growing distance from its parent company, Instagram.
The ability to send and receive direct messages is the most requested feature on Threads to date, and it is now being rolled out to users globally starting this Tuesday. The initial release will provide a basic set of features for one-on-one chats, including preset emoji reactions, the option to report spam, and mute DMs (similar to Instagram). Future updates will include group messaging, inbox filters, and more advanced message controls.
In contrast to Instagram, Threads does not plan to encrypt its direct messages. According to VP of Product Emily Dalton Smith, this choice is focused on connecting users directly without prioritizing encryption. The aim is to build upon the community people have created in public spaces on the app, which differs significantly from the social graph underlying their Instagram account.
Threads has reached 350 million monthly active users, a significant increase compared to newcomers like Bluesky with only 37 million registered users. However, considering Meta’s vast network of apps, Threads still needs to prove its worth within the company.
The DM feature was initially tested in several markets before the global rollout, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Argentina, and Brazil.
Source: techcrunch.com
