TechCrunch Daily Crunch Not everyone is thrilled with Threads’ DMs
Jul 4, 2025
The tech world is buzzing with Google's global rollout of its Veo 3 video-generation model, showcasing advancements in AI. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's company has received permits for gas turbine operations, raising environmental concerns. On social media, the introduction of direct messages in Instagram Threads has sparked user backlash, especially from female users worried about privacy. Plus, a new child-friendly smartwatch, the Pinwheel Watch, allows kids to connect safely without the risks of smartphones.
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Threads' DM Feature Sparks Backlash
- Users on Threads are upset about the mandatory DMs, especially women fearing harassment.
- Meta underestimated how following users doesn't mean wanting direct messages from them.
DMs Linked to Followers Fall Short
- Linking DMs to followers aimed to control who could message users privately.
- In public social networks, users want to read posts without inviting personal messages.