Threads Is Getting Group Chats As Messaging Rolls Out To The EU
Meta is taking Threads to the next level with a major update — Threads is getting group chats as messaging rolls out to the EU. This expansion brings richer, more social communication options for the app’s growing community, now topping 400 million monthly active users.
Image Credits:Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/ Getty Images
After introducing direct messages earlier this summer, Instagram’s Threads is now allowing group messaging for up to 50 people. The rollout begins today for global users, including those in the European Union, where messaging features were previously delayed due to regulatory concerns.
Group Chats Bring More Ways To Connect
Threads users aged 18 and above can now share text posts, videos, GIFs, and emojis in group chats — just like they do on the public timeline. It’s a familiar experience designed to make small communities feel more personal and engaging.
According to Emily Dalton Smith, Threads’ VP of Product Management, the goal isn’t to replace encrypted messaging platforms like Signal or WhatsApp. Instead, Threads aims to make real-time social conversation more dynamic and fun.
“We see messaging as a way for people to connect more deeply with those they’re already talking to — it’s really about going deep with people who share your interests,” Smith explained during a media briefing.
No End-To-End Encryption (Yet)
While Threads group chats offer convenience and speed, Meta clarified that they are not end-to-end encrypted. This means Threads isn’t positioning itself as a privacy-first chat app, but rather as a conversation-driven social tool.
Users can discuss trending topics like live sports or popular TV shows without switching platforms. Meta believes this casual, “in-the-moment” interaction fits the social rhythm Threads was built around.
Privacy Controls and User Settings
To maintain safety and control, Threads gives users the ability to manage who can add them to group chats. Only people you follow can add you to a group — a stricter rule compared to direct messages, where messages from non-followers simply go to a Message Requests folder.
This small but important distinction helps reduce spam and unwanted group invitations while keeping the platform community-driven.
Meta’s Broader Strategy: Messaging Meets Community
The move comes as Instagram refocuses its app around Reels and DMs, responding to what users engage with most. Messaging is now becoming central to both Instagram and Threads — a clear indication that Meta is betting big on private social experiences.
The strategy mirrors what’s happening at X (formerly Twitter), which has been pushing users toward its own XChat system. However, X’s encrypted messaging tools have faced criticism from security researchers who say it’s not as secure as apps like Signal.
By contrast, Meta is emphasizing user engagement and conversation quality over encryption, betting that social depth will matter more than total privacy for Threads’ core audience.
A Step Toward a Fully Integrated Threads Experience
The new update positions Threads as a hybrid platform — part public forum, part private chat hub. As Threads is getting group chats as messaging rolls out to the EU, Meta is bridging the gap between public conversations and smaller, more personal communities.
This aligns with Meta’s long-term vision to make Threads a platform for interest-based discussions, powered by AI-driven recommendations and community engagement tools.
What It Means for EU Users
For European users, this update marks the first time Threads messaging is fully accessible since the app’s launch. Regulatory hurdles had initially delayed the rollout, but Meta now appears confident in its compliance and infrastructure to support EU data standards.
With group chats finally available, Threads users across Europe can join the global conversation and build interest-based groups that feel more social and less algorithmic.
Threads’ Evolution
The addition of group chats highlights Meta’s intent to evolve Threads from a Twitter alternative into a community-driven conversation hub. By combining the real-time nature of social feeds with private messaging, Meta is crafting a unique space for both creators and everyday users.
It’s also a clever move to increase engagement time within the app. With people spending more time chatting and sharing in private spaces, Threads could see stronger retention rates — something Meta has struggled with in past app experiments.
While encryption and advanced moderation features may come later, the current rollout already makes Threads more interactive and inclusive. The company is likely to expand group chat functionality in future updates, adding features like voice messages, polls, and threaded replies.
For now, the launch of group chats — especially as Threads is getting group chats as messaging rolls out to the EU — marks a pivotal moment in the app’s journey toward becoming a central player in the next wave of social networking.
Meta’s move to expand messaging in Threads shows a clear focus on community, connection, and real-time engagement. The platform is growing beyond public posts to create deeper spaces for conversation — a strategy that could redefine how people use social media in 2025.
With Threads getting group chats and expanding into the EU market, Meta is setting the stage for a more connected, conversational, and community-driven future.
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