Instagram and Facebook turns off some features because of new data rules and sends users DMs explaining

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Instagram and Facebook are turning off some features for users in Europe.

Users across the continent are receiving messages in their DMs that read: “Some features not available”.

The message suggests that the features will return, but gives no information on when or indeed what they are.

“This is to respect new rules for messaging services in Europe,” it reads. “We’re working to bring them back.”

The affected features include at least stickers on Instagram, and polls on Messenger and Instagram. The support pages for both of those features on Facebook’s help pages make clear that the removal is related to the same European rules.

Those support pages also make clear that the restrictions will apply to anyone “located in Europe or messaging an account based in Europe”, meaning that users outside the continent could find themselves unable to use the features in some conversations.

The note also does not make clear which EU privacy rules are at stake in the new changes.

Away from the new features that would appear to users, Facebook has made a host of changes on the backend of the site, too. It has disabled access to several Facebook Messenger APIs, for instance, which makes it harder for developers and businesses who use the chat service to communicate with customers.

In an update to developers posted to announce those technical changes, Facebook also said that it it is “working to restore these features”, but again did not give a specific indication of when they might come back.

Facebook’s changes are coming to all countries in the European Economic Area, which means that users in countries outside of the European Union – including the UK – will also be affected by the changes.