Separate Access Comes with Trade-offs: Using Messenger Independently in EU May Affect Marketplace Messaging Features, Requiring Email Communication
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is introducing changes to its platform to comply with regulations, specifically the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Users in the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland will now have the option to prevent the sharing of information across Meta’s suite of apps. This means individuals in these regions can use Instagram and Facebook independently, even if they are connected on the platform. Additionally, Meta is offering the flexibility for users to create a Messenger account that is not directly linked to their Facebook account. Notably, these modifications align with regulatory requirements and grant users more control over their data.
The company’s detailed explanation of these changes emphasizes compliance with the EU regulations and provides users in the specified regions with the choice to either continue operating linked Facebook and Instagram accounts or to unlink them, ensuring that their information is not shared across accounts.
This move by Meta follows the recent shutdown of cross-app chats between Instagram and Messenger, marking a shift from the earlier vision articulated by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who had expressed the intention to enable users to chat seamlessly across Meta’s services. The company’s decision to limit messaging to each platform and the introduction of end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) chats on Messenger in December further underscore Meta’s ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes and enhance user privacy.
Meanwhile, the company is also changing how users in these regions can use Messenger — while you can continue to chat using your Facebook account, Meta will also let you sign up for a new Messenger account that operates independently of your existing account. You’ll be able to send messages and call your contacts, but some features won’t work as expected.
For example, Messenger features for Marketplace that allow sellers to chat with buyers will be replaced with an option to use email, if their accounts are unlinked. Similarly, users who unlink their accounts from Facebook Gaming won’t have access to multiplayer features and targeted recommendations, according to the company.
Just like Meta’s optional ad-free subscription for Facebook and Instagram that was introduced two months ago, these changes will only be available to users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The company could also bring the same functionality to other regions if legislation similar to the DMA is passed, allowing users in more countries to operate their accounts independently.