As it was, for Twitter accounts that are not verified, you could not send them a direct message (DM) unless that specific account followed you. In turn, no one could message you unless you followed them. Now, Twitter has removed these restrictions, allowing anyone and everyone to share DMs.
To help promote open communication, Twitter thinks allowing everyone to send DMs to people they may not even know is completely appropriate. Of course, this change can be toggled on and off in your settings, allowing you to restrict people’s ability to send you a DM. From what I see in the settings menu, either you allow everyone to message you, or just the people you follow and they follow back to message.
Here is a breakdown of exactly what is new.
What’s New
- A setting that allows you to receive Direct Messages from anyone, even if you don’t follow them. To change your settings follow these instructions.
- Updated messaging rules so you can reply to anyone who sends you a Direct Message, regardless of whether or not that person follows you.
- A new Direct Message button on profile pages on Android and iPhone. You’ll see it on the profiles of people you can send Direct Messages to.
What do you think of these changes? Good move? Dumb move?
