Name Changes and Merged Messages: How Facebook Is Taking More Control Over Instagram

Change is on the horizon.

Last month, Instagram began hiding likes from users. Now, it appears that more changes will be hitting the photo and video-sharing app, which will be getting an entirely new name.

As part of a Facebook rebrand, Instagram and WhatsApp will be known as "Instagram from Facebook", and "WhatsApp from Facebook". Doesn’t exactly have the same ring to it, huh?

We know that Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012, and WhatsApp in 2014, but this is a pretty big deal considering Facebook has usually enabled the apps to operate independently.

However, that’s not the only change Mark Zuckerberg has lined up. Facebook is also reported to be planning to merge its systems, allowing users to exchange messages among all its different mobile apps. While the appearance of Instagram Direct will remain pretty much the same, the technology powering the service will change. 

So, why is Facebook doing this?

Journalists from The Information first reported that the social media giant is aiming to link the three apps together, bringing them all under the Facebook banner. This was later confirmed by a Facebook representative, who told The Information, "We want to be clearer about the products and services that are a part of Facebook."

Although, this isn’t the first time we are hearing about this sort of change. Bloomberg reported that Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has been talking about the move towards "interoperability" since last year.

Is anyone actually happy about it?

Well, Zuckerberg is. But according to Bloomberg, the plan has caused some massive beef. In fact, Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger resigned last year, after reportedly growing tired of Zuckerberg’s control. The founders of WhatsApp also apparently walked out after Zuckerberg planned to include advertising inside the messaging app.

Lots and lots of tea.

What about our privacy?

While The Federal Trade Commission is currently investigating whether Facebook has monopoly powers, Zuckerberg holds that the changes will increase privacy. The CEO intends to encrypt chat services, meaning messages will remain private and won’t be stored on Facebook servers.

In a letter on Facebook, he wrote, "I believe we should be working towards a world where people can speak privately and live freely knowing that their information will only be seen by who they want to see it and won’t all stick around forever."

There seems to be no stopping this Zucky takeover, but maybe he could consider a more creative name?

Header Image: iStock.com/fld photos