Zuckerberg to integrate WhatsApp\, Instagram and Facebook Messenger: NYT

Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram users will soon be able to send messages to each other, regardless of what app their friends are using.

So a Facebook user can message a WhatsApp user, and so on.

Because Facebook, which owns the other two services, will be rolling out a unified infrastructure for them.

That's according to a New York Times report on Friday (25 January), which cited four people involved in the move.

The company also plans to incorporate end-to-end encryption into the apps, which will still remain distinct platforms. One possible reason for the move toward a unification is a suggestion that Facebook could face anti-trust problems in the future- for cornering the market on messenger services.

Now Facebook can argue the three apps are a single service.

The New York Times also reported that users will be able to encrypt their messages to each other across the platforms, which may be a boon for privacy advocates.

However, the tech does not always conceal a user's metadata, for example a user's location, or who they're talking to.

Facebook has previously come under fire over the way it has safeguarded user data and advertising programs. A Facebook spokesperson said they are still figuring out the details of how to connect their networks.