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Instagram to roll out new feature that lets you turn off read receipts in direct messages

Published Nov 09, 2023 12:10 pm Updated Nov 09, 2023 12:15 pm

Don’t feel like replying to a message, but also don’t want them to find out that you left them on read? Good news: Instagram plans to launch a new feature that allows you to turn off read receipts. 

Meta executives Adam Mosseri and Mark Zuckerberg announced the new feature on Nov. 8 via their broadcast channels, sharing that they are currently in the testing stage limited to selected users. 

“We heard your feedback and have started testing a new feature that lets you turn read receipts off in your DMs. Soon, people will be able to choose when to let others see when they’ve read their messages,” Instagram head Mosseri wrote. 

He went on to share a screenshot of the sample feature which can be found in the Privacy & Safety menu. When it’s officially launched, users can head to the “Who can see your activity” section where you can toggle on or off the “read receipts.”   

Screenshot of the sample feature, as shared by Instagram head Adam Mosseri via his "IG Updates" broadcast channel. 

Meanwhile, messages sent in "Vanish mode" will always have the read receipts. The team, however, has yet to announce the official date of release. 

In addition to this, they also plan to launch the default end-to-end encryption protection for Instagram DMs after its launch on Messenger. It is expected to be done by the end of the year.