Instagram has revealed its intention to introduce the option to turn off read receipts in DMs as Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg announced “If you’re someone who leaves people on read: your day has come.”
This means that Instagram users (recipients) won’t be able to discern if you’ve read their messages, as the ‘seen’ label will be eliminated from read messages. Instagram is presently in the testing phase of this feature, though it has not disclosed any plans for a broader rollout.
Reactions to this announcement by Instagram among social media users have been mixed as some hail it as a much-needed addition, while others find it unexciting.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, unveiled the impending changes via their Instagram broadcast channels. Mosseri stated, “We’ve heard your feedback and have initiated trials for a new feature that enables you to deactivate read receipts in your DMs. Soon, users will have the choice to determine when others can see if they’ve read their messages.”
However, he did not specify the timeframe for this change or whether it would be implemented for all users simultaneously.
In the Privacy and Safety settings, within the ‘Who can see your activity’ section, users can switch read receipts on or off. The setting description reads, “Others can see when you’ve read their messages. Vanish mode messages always send read receipts.”
Zuckerberg, writing on his Instagram Broadcast channel, humorously remarked, “If you’re someone who leaves people on read: your day has come.” He clarified that the company was testing the ability to deactivate read receipts in Instagram DMs.
On X (formerly Twitter), numerous social media users have embraced the announcement, with one individual stating, “Better late than never.” Another commenter expressed relief, saying, “Finally, some good news.”
However, not everyone is pleased with the change, as a few individuals lament losing the ability to monitor whether their messages have been read. Instagram has not yet confirmed whether this feature will be extended to Facebook Messenger, which Meta also owns.
WhatsApp, another Meta-owned platform, has offered the option to disable read receipts since its acquisition by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2014. Meta intends to introduce default end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs after completing its integration in Messenger.
In August, Meta announced plans for default end-to-end encryption in Messenger by early 2024. Instagram Launches ‘Quiet Mode’ That Will Mute Notifications.
For 18 graduates of the Reko Diq Mining Project, the National University of Technology, Islamabad, has started a training program. These graduates will complete an 18-month on-the-job training program at Barrick’s International Mining Sites after completing a two-month course at NUTECH.
The graduates will acquire proficiency in mining and associated technical domains during the training program. The chosen graduates will also get specific instruction on environmental protection, safety, exploration, and geology.
Along with the development of communication skills, the curriculum will also emphasise the most recent advancements in the mining industry. Barrick’s International Graduate Development Program for 2024 includes the Balochistani graduates.
Additionally, nine Baloch graduates were selected in 2023 and transported to Barrick’s facility in Argentina for on-the-job training.
WhatsApp is implementing a new upgrade to refine the Updates tab interface, hence boosting accessibility for status and channel updates.
WABetaInfo reports that the upgrade introduces expedited shortcuts that streamline the updating of statuses and channels. Users can now select and upload photos and videos directly from the interface, reducing the steps involved in choosing media from the gallery.
The Meta-owned messaging application has also revamped the button for generating text-based status updates and introduced a feature for recording and sharing voice status updates. This offers customers a more expedient method to disseminate text and speech updates without depending on the floating action button.
The revisions correspond with recent modifications to other tabs, ensuring a modernised interface that improves navigation and update creation. WhatsApp is modifying the floating action button to facilitate content sharing within channels.
When selecting the floating action button, users will see several options, including creating status updates, starting new channels, or sharing photos, videos, voice, and text in existing channels. This revamp integrates all content-generating options into a singular section.
The new shortcuts are anticipated to be accessible to a broader user base in the forthcoming weeks. Beta testers can currently access them in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android, version 2.24.26.13, available on the Google Play Store.
Through Chinese expertise, the arrangement, which was made possible by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), intends to increase Pakistan’s agricultural output.
The Punjab government and China’s “AI Force Tech” company have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to introduce advanced agricultural machinery during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to China.
Through the use of advanced robotic technology, the MoU seeks to transform Pakistan’s agricultural industry, guarantee economic growth, and boost farmers’ wealth with China’s assistance.
Through the partnership, Pakistan would also have the chance to absorb knowledge about China’s sophisticated farming methods.
In the meantime, plans have been revealed by the Federal Minister of Planning to send 1,000 agricultural experts to China to study contemporary farming methods.
A Chinese business and the Punjab government previously inked an agreement to introduce cutting-edge cancer treatment technologies to Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hygea Medical Technologies while she was in China in order to introduce cutting-edge cancer treatment equipment and techniques to Punjab.
This equipment will make it feasible to treat cancer without the need for chemotherapy or surgery.
Following a meeting with Hygea Medical Technologies President Dr. Luo Fuliang, Maryam Nawaz said the organization has promised expert assistance for the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital.
She went on to say that the hospital will work with China to treat cancer patients utilizing the newest equipment and techniques following the agreement.
Maryam Nawaz and a high-level delegation are present. From December 8 to December 15, the chief minister will go to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.
CM Maryam Nawaz is expected to attend a number of conferences, events, and meetings with the goal of enhancing bilateral relations and looking into potential joint ventures in the areas of infrastructure development, technology, agriculture, and governance.