Instagram has introduced a new feature that gives users more control over their direct messaging (DM) experience. The social media platform now allows users to turn off read receipts for their DMs, enabling them to choose whether or not to display “Read” or “Seen” indicators to the sender within message streams.
This update addresses a long-standing user request for more privacy options in Instagram’s messaging system. With the new feature, users who prefer not to disclose when they’ve read a message can simply remove the “Seen” notification.
This offers a layer of discretion, keeping the sender in suspense about whether their message has been read.
To use this new setting, users can go into their IG Direct inbox and adjust the read receipt option for each individual chat. By tapping on the user’s name or group chat name, users can access the “Privacy & Safety” settings and toggle off “Read Receipts.”
This change gives Instagram users more autonomy over their messaging interactions, aligning the platform with other messaging services that offer similar privacy controls.
Instagram’s decision to allow users to disable read receipts in DMs is a significant step towards enhancing user privacy on the platform. This feature empowers users to manage their communication preferences more effectively, catering to the diverse needs and comfort levels of Instagram’s vast user base.
It reflects the platform’s responsiveness to user feedback and its commitment to providing a more customizable and privacy-conscious social media experience.