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Meta Announces Discontinuation of Cross-Messaging Between Instagram and Facebook

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Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, recently unveiled plans to halt cross-app communication chats between the two platforms. Effective mid-December 2023, users will no longer have the ability to engage in chats between Instagram and Facebook Messenger accounts, a move that has sparked both curiosity and speculation among the online community.

The decision, announced without a clear rationale from Meta, is speculated to potentially align with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation mandates prominent tech entities to facilitate interoperability between various messaging platforms, a requirement that may have influenced Meta’s decision regarding cross-platform communication.

“Once cross-app communication isn’t available, you won’t be able to start new conversations or calls with Facebook accounts from Instagram,” Meta highlighted in its official update. Existing chats involving Facebook accounts on Instagram will be rendered as read-only, restricting users from initiating new messages within these threads.

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The implications of this change are significant for users on both platforms. Instagram users will lose the capability to initiate conversations with Facebook accounts, and the read-only status will prevent any new messaging activity. Furthermore, Facebook accounts interacting with Instagram won’t have access to the Activity Status or the ability to ascertain if a message has been seen.

Meta clarified that existing chats with Facebook accounts on Instagram will not transition to the Facebook or Messenger inboxes. To sustain conversations with Facebook-linked contacts, users will need to initiate fresh chats through Messenger or Facebook from their respective Facebook accounts.

Potential Preparations for DMA Compliance

While Meta hasn’t explicitly stated the motive behind this shift, speculations abound that this move aligns with Meta’s preparation for DMA-compliant interoperability within Messenger. The decision to discontinue this specific cross-app chatting feature hints at potential restructuring to comply with regulatory requirements.

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As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Meta’s decision to sever the direct messaging link between its two major platforms raises questions about the future of cross-platform interaction and the company’s strategies to adapt to regulatory frameworks.

In response to inquiries regarding this announcement, Meta has yet to offer further details or explanations, leaving users and industry experts eager for more insight into the company’s motives behind this substantial alteration in messaging functionalities.

How to Share Your WhatsApp Status on Instagram

How to Share Your WhatsApp Status on Instagram?

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Users will be able to post WhatsApp status notifications to Instagram thanks to a brand-new function that WhatsApp is developing. This will work similarly to the current method of sharing your Instagram Stories on Facebook Stories. Notably, a beta version of the WhatsApp Android application has been observed to have the functionality, which is now under development. Although the feature’s release date is unknown at this moment, its beta status suggests that it will happen soon. WABetaInfo discovered the functionality. This capability appears to be another step towards achieving cross-platform interoperability for all Meta apps, as envisioned by Mark Zuckerberg.

How to Share Your WhatsApp Status on Instagram

Image Source: gadgetbridge.com

According to the document, individuals won’t have to leave WhatsApp to upload their status updates to Instagram thanks to a new function. As previously indicated, posting to Facebook is presently an option, just like when posting a Story on Instagram. With just one swipe, individuals who use WhatsApp will be free to update both their Instagram Story as well as WhatsApp Status at the same time.

As of right moment, WhatsApp users may immediately publish updates to their WhatsApp Status on Facebook stories. Users will soon be able to broadcast their WhatsApp status on both social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram at the same time thanks to this functionality.

You should also notice that users will still have the final say over this WhatsApp-Instagram publishing, just like with Instagram and the present settings for cross-platform- posting between Facebook and WhatsApp. This implies that users’ WhatsApp Status will only be autonomously shared on Instagram if they so want. To activate the functionality, users would need to navigate to Settings. Similar to Facebook-WhatsApp cross-posting, users will maintain control over which Status updates appear on Facebook as well as Instagram Stories regardless of whether they have been enabled. Users will additionally be given the ability to disable the setting at any time.

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New Feature in Upcoming days

There are rumours that WhatsApp is developing an intriguing new function that would let users look up contacts or messages by username. Users who choose not to publish their phone numbers will have some privacy thanks to the feature that gives them the option to choose a username. It is expected that those who value privacy and want greater influence over personal data would benefit most from this breakthrough.

Meta's New AI-Based Video Editing Tools Launched For FaceBook, Instagram

Meta’s New AI-Based Video Editing Tools Launched For FaceBook, Instagram

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Meta Platforms unveiled a groundbreaking leap in video editing technology, debuting two new AI-driven features aimed at enhancing user experience across its social media dominions, Facebook and Instagram.

Emu Video: Creating Dynamic Four-Second Clips

The first innovation, Emu Video, revolutionizes content creation by swiftly generating four-second videos. It ingeniously pairs text prompts, captions, or images with corresponding descriptions. This dynamic tool streamlines the video creation process, offering a seamless blend of text and imagery for captivating content.

Emu Edit: Simplifying Video Alterations with Text Prompts

Complementing Emu Video is Emu Edit, a versatile editing feature empowering users to effortlessly modify and refine videos using text prompts. This functionality grants users greater flexibility and creative control over their video content, elevating the editing experience.

Meta's New AI-Based Video Editing Tools Launched For FaceBook, Instagram

Image Source: indiatvnews.com

These advancements build upon the foundation of Emu, the parent model renowned for its prowess in generating images based on textual cues. Emu’s capabilities have been integral in refining AI technology for Instagram, empowering users to transform photographs by altering visual styles and backgrounds.

Businesses and enterprises have fervently embraced the nascent generative AI market in the past year, seeking to leverage its capabilities for process refinement and innovation. The advent of OpenAI’s ChatGPT last year further catalyzed this surge, fueling the quest for cutting-edge AI capabilities.

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Meta’s exponential growth in the AI domain underscores its ambition to compete fiercely with industry giants like Microsoft, Google (under Alphabet), and Amazon. The company’s commitment to advancing AI-driven tools within its social media ecosystem reflects its dedication to pioneering innovation and enhancing user engagement.

As Meta continues to evolve its suite of AI-powered functionalities, these new video editing tools mark a significant step forward in enabling users to craft compelling and visually captivating content for Facebook and Instagram.

Meta to Offer Ad-Free Facebook and Instagram Subscriptions in Europe

Meta to Offer Ad-Free Facebook and Instagram Subscriptions in Europe

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Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, is set to introduce a new subscription service in Europe, offering users the option to enjoy ad-free access to these platforms. The move comes as Meta seeks to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of data privacy regulations and user expectations in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.

Meta to Offer Ad-Free Facebook and Instagram Subscriptions in Europe

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Starting from November, European users will have the opportunity to subscribe to ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram. There will be two pricing options available: a web-based subscription at €9.99 per month and a mobile subscription via Apple Inc.’s and Android’s operating systems, priced at €12.99 per month. This initiative marks an important step for Meta in providing its users with a choice to experience their favorite social media platforms in a new, uninterrupted way.

Meta Responds to EU Data Privacy Regulations with Launch of Ad-Free Subscriptions

The decision to introduce these subscription services is in response to the escalating regulations surrounding the collection and utilization of user data in Europe. A key factor influencing this development was the ruling by the EU Court of Justice in July, which emphasized the importance of companies providing alternative, privacy-respecting services, “if necessary for an appropriate fee.” In line with this decision, Meta is now offering its European user base a paid alternative that excludes ads.

Meta intends to maintain its existing ad-supported services in these regions at no extra cost to users. This means that individuals who choose not to subscribe will still have access to the familiar ad-supported versions of Facebook and Instagram. The company emphasizes that this move is about offering greater choice to users, allowing them to decide how they prefer to engage with these platforms.

Ad-free subscriptions have become an appealing option for users who value their online privacy and want to have a more streamlined and uninterrupted social media experience. By introducing these subscription plans, Meta is addressing the demand for enhanced privacy options and demonstrating its commitment to adapt to the changing regulatory environment in Europe.

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This announcement follows Meta’s broader efforts to enhance data privacy, including its plans to move user data from Ireland to the United States, which is driven by the EU’s concerns about data transfers. The introduction of ad-free subscriptions is yet another step in the company’s strategy to navigate the complex web of privacy regulations while ensuring a positive user experience.

As the world of online privacy and data protection continues to evolve, Meta’s decision to offer ad-free subscriptions in Europe is a proactive response to the shifting landscape. It represents a crucial step in providing users with a choice that aligns with their personal preferences and respect for their digital privacy. The subscription services set to launch in November signal Meta’s dedication to maintaining a strong presence in the European market and ensuring the satisfaction of its diverse user base.

Facebook

Why are Facebook and Instagram ending news access in Canada?

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Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to block access to news content on its platforms for all users in Canada when a new law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect.

The Canadian parliament passed “Bill C-18,” known as the Online News Act, which mandates platforms like Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and compensate news publishers for their content. Both Meta and Google had previously warned that they would restrict access to news articles if the legislation was passed without amendments.

Facebook
Image Source: dailytimes.com.pk

Facebook argues that news articles constitute less than 3% of the content on users’ feeds and claims that news has no economic value for the company since its users do not primarily rely on the platform for news consumption. They also highlight the benefits journalists receive from posting their work on the social media platform.

Google, on the other hand, contends that Canadian law is broader than similar laws in Australia and Europe, as it places a monetary value on news story links displayed in search results and can potentially apply to outlets that do not produce news.

Google proposed revisions to the bill, suggesting that payment should be based on the display of news content rather than links and that only businesses producing news and adhering to journalistic standards should be eligible for payments.

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In Australia, both Google and Facebook initially threatened to limit their services when similar laws were enacted in 2021. However, they reached agreements with Australian media companies after amendments were made to the legislation. As a result, Meta and Google have been paying around A$200 million ($134 million) annually to Australian news outlets.

Lawmakers in Meta’s home state of California and the U.S. Congress are pushing for similar rules, as they see a need to empower news organizations to negotiate collectively with platforms like Google and Facebook.

Meta generates 40% of its revenue from the United States and considers Australia and Canada among its significant markets. If Meta fails to obtain exemptions or modify the rules in Canada, it could potentially face similar challenges in the United States.

In 2022, U.S. lawmakers introduced a revised version of a bill aimed at facilitating collective negotiations between news organizations and platforms. Additionally, the New Zealand government announced its intention to introduce a law requiring major online companies to compensate local media companies for the appearance of their news content on digital feeds.

age verification tools

Instagram starts testing its age verification tools in more countries

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Meta revealed that it had begun trying its Instagram age-verification tools in additional nations, including Mexico and Canada. In June of last year, the social networking app started experimenting with three new ways for people to verify their age: uploading their ID, making a video selfie, or requesting friends who know them to do so.

age verification tools
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Instagram would ask a user to verify their age with one of the three ways if they tried to change their birth date from under 18 to 18 or older.

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The test was first made available in the USA, and in October it was also made available in Brazil and Japan. Currently, more nations in Europe, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Australia, and Japan are testing the age verification tools. In the upcoming months, Meta intends to make the tools accessible on a worldwide scale.

You can present an ID, such as a passport or a driver’s licence, to prove your identity. In this case, Instagram will keep your ID on its systems for 30 days before deleting it. You can use the video selfie approach if you do not have a valid ID. For this choice, Instagram has teamed up with London-based digital identification start-up Yoti.

Once you submit a video selfie, Yoti receives it and uses specially trained AI to confirm your age. Both businesses erase the data after the verification procedure is finished. The third method of age verification is known as “social vouching,” and it entails asking mutual followers to attest to your age.

The individual providing the vouch must be at least 18 years old and cannot be providing a vouch at the same time for another person. You will be asked to confirm your age, and the three individuals you choose to vouch for you will have three days to do so.

The people who are vouching for you will have the option to indicate your age range, such as under 13, 13–17, 18–20, 21, or older, or I’m not sure. Your age verification will only be accepted if all three of them select the same choice.

According to Meta, since it began trying age verification on Instagram last year, its evaluations have shown that it was able to thwart 96% of the teenagers who tried to change their birthdays on Instagram from under 18 to 18 or over. In an effort to prevent users under the age of 13 from signing up for the app, Instagram began requesting new users to enter their birthdates in 2019.

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The social media platform made submitting one’s birthdate a requirement starting in 2021. The same year, it introduced teen-friendly restrictions like the ability to ban DMs from unauthorized adults and make profiles private by default for individuals under the age of 16.