Instagram May Soon Allow You To Disable Read Receipts

Ever wanted to read messages without leaving other users on "Read" on Instagram?

Well, Meta's social platform is working on it.

Instagram is testing out a new feature that would allow users to turn off the read receipts for Instagram Direct Messages (DMs), so the people they're talking to won't know when their messages have been read.

The test was first announced by Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri in his own Broadcast Channel, stating that testing has commenced with a small number of users. 

"You asked, we listened. 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 learn to see when they’ve read their messages," Mosseri shared.

According to an image shared by Mosseri, the option will be found under "Privacy & Safety" in a person's account settings. 

Under "Who can see your activity," the toggle to turn off read receipts can be found. However, it is also stated that messages under "Vanish mode" will always be marked with "read" once read. 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also confirmed the upcoming feature on his own broadcast channel, saying that the "day has come" for those who "leave people on read."

Letting users turn off read receipts in Instagram DMs offers more privacy and reduces social pressure.

It makes communication more flexible, empowering users to control when their read status is visible and fostering a comfortable, authentic experience.

Several users have taken to social media to rejoice about the new feature.

IG is where I get some of my craziest DMs so I definitely welcome this. https://t.co/sUY0MKegKN

— 🍂 ash 🍂 (@mdrnlifeisrbsh) November 9, 2023

"I can finally ignore people without the anxiety of having an unread message weighing on me?!?!" another X user concluded.

Edited by Nikola Djuric