YouTube’s Private Messages Return 🔥 (Seriously!)

Tech & Science

YouTube is relaunching its private messaging feature, initially with a select group of users in Ireland and Poland. Starting now, adults aged 18 and over can directly share videos – including long-form content, Shorts, and live streams – within the app, creating private one-on-one conversations or group chats. When a user shares a video, a full-screen chat window appears, allowing for direct interaction; this can include replying with their own videos, typing messages, or utilizing emojis. This represents a welcome change, as previously, the only method for sharing YouTube videos was through external services like text messages, WhatsApp, or Instagram DMs. YouTube has described in-app messaging as a “top feature request,” and they’re adopting a cautious approach, stemming from the original removal of the feature in 2019, which wasn’t fully explained. Speculation at the time included a lack of widespread use or concerns regarding inappropriate content and potential risks for younger users. To address these concerns, the current test is limited to adults, and YouTube is implementing safeguards such as requiring invitations to initiate chats, offering the ability to unsend messages, and allowing users to block and report conversations. Furthermore, the platform will carefully review messages to ensure they align with its existing Community Guidelines.