Meta lets EU users split Messenger and Marketplace accounts
Meta has finally decided to comply with the regulations set forth in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) after months of fighting against them. This move will have a significant impact on the user experience in the EU, allowing people to use Messenger and Facebook Marketplace without needing a Facebook account.
New User Experience in the EU
With this decision, users in the EU can now access Messenger and Facebook Marketplace through standalone accounts, enabling them to enjoy all the services and functions without any restrictions. The only change for Marketplace users is that conversations will now take place via email. Additionally, the regulations cover other Meta platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta ads. Users now have the option to keep their Facebook and Instagram accounts separate, without having to link information between the two platforms.
Regulations and Gatekeepers
The European Commission has designated six companies, including Meta, as “gatekeepers” under the DMA. These companies, which also include Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, and Microsoft, are subject to the regulations due to various factors such as users, revenue, and valuation. The qualification as a gatekeeper is based on whether a company provides a crucial link between businesses and consumers for core platform services. While some companies like ByteDance and Apple have resisted the regulations, Google (owned by Alphabet) has taken steps to allow users to prevent data sharing on platforms like YouTube and Chrome.
