Meta Tests Direct Message Inbox on Threads in Hong Kong, Thailand, Argentina

Meta's Threads app, a competitor to X (formerly Twitter), is finally introducing a built-in direct messaging (DM) feature, addressing one of the most requested capabilities since its launch nearly two years ago. The new DM inbox is being tested initially in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina, with plans for broader expansion, including the US, in the near future. Previously, users could only send private messages by switching to Instagram, which created a clunky and often confusing user experience. While many Threads users have eagerly anticipated this change, others appreciate the platform's DM-free simplicity and worry it may alter the app's unique appeal. The new inbox will support only 1:1 chats for now and is designed to keep conversations within Threads, making it more user-friendly and potentially more appealing for business and content creators. Meta has not specified when the DM feature will become widely available.