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Facebook Is Disabling Several Chat Features On Messenger And Instagram

Facebook Is Disabling Several Chat Features On Messenger And Instagram

It's temporarily stripping them back to core messaging services in order to comply with a change in privacy rules in EU countries

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Facebook is temporarily disabling several features on its Instagram and Messenger chat apps, in order to comply with a change in privacy rules in EU countries.

This means the apps have been stripped back to a core messaging service, without some of the exciting bells and whistles many users enjoy using.

Some users may have already seen notifications in their Instagram Direct and Messenger inboxes, which says: "Some features not available. This is to respect new rules for messaging services in Europe. We're working to bring them back."

Instagram

According to the BBC, from 21 December, messaging apps will fall under EU rules known as the ePrivacy directive, which imposes stricter regulations on data use across communications services operating in countries part of the European Union.

Facebook has decided to address this by switching off several interactive options, instead offering only a basic messaging service until any extras can be added back into the apps.

The company has not published a full list of all the features it would be suspending in Europe, as it hoped to be able to quickly reinstate the ones that it was confident complied with the change.

However, the BBC reports that one feature known to be switched off is group chat polls on Messenger, along with setting nicknames for friends on the app.

The Verge adds that other missing features may include a 'lack of certain file sense on Messenger', and there will be no personalised replies.

Messenger

Over on Instagram, users will not be able to share augmented-reality face filters via direct message, and they may also notice a lack of stickers.

Facebook hopes to bring such features back, but has not said when this may be.

It said in a statement: "We're still determining the best way to bring these features back. It takes time to rebuild products in a way that work seamlessly for people and also comply with new regulation."

A spokesperson also told The Verge that most of the features will return 'very soon' for European users.

The features are being deactivated in stages, meaning some people will still be able to use them for the next few days. Others may see that they've already been removed as options from their chats.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Instagram, UK News, News, Europe, Facebook, Technology