Facebook Brings Direct Messaging To Instagram

Facebook has updated Instagram to allow users to send videos and photos directly to up to 15 friends through a service called Instagram Direct. The move was likely inspired by increasing competition from Snapchat and free messaging applications such as WhatsApp, and comes after reports that Facebook's attempts to buy Snapchat were rebuffed. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom said the feature is "like gathering people around a photo, a moment, and being able to have a conversation about them." It also means the dangers of accidentally sending out indiscreet material to more people with the push of a button has gone up, yet again.