Some Features Not Available – Facebook & Instagram Error Message, Users in Europe Restricted

“Some Features Not Available! This is to respect new rules for messaging services in Europe. We’re working to bring them back.”

If you see this message then you’re most probably living in Europe.

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Why do I receive the message “Some Features Not Available” on Facebook Messenger and Instagram?

On December 16 Facebook officially placed restrictions regarding the use of Messenger API. The change is a must because of the European Union’s privacy guidelines.

As of today, the message appears at the top of Facebook Messenger and Instagram Messages. Even though it looks annoying, it’s a necessary public statement for European citizens.

Main messaging feautures that are affected:

Messaging-related metrics
Organic Messaging features
Messaging API features

What has changed in Facebook Messenger? Who is affected?

The message will be most likely a problem for European developers and European businesses that use Messenger API. It will bring a lot of challenges for customer support chatbots. So, If your favorite retailer is not answering you… that’s probably the reason why.

A list of some API Features that aren’t available anymore on Facebook Messenger and Instagram:

Media/attachments on new messages won’t render in the thread. Media/attachments on existing messages will still be visible
Templates won’t render in the message thread because API calls will fail. Templates in existing messages will still be visible, but users won’t be able to take any action on them
Shops product template – Templates won’t render in the thread because API calls will fail.
One Time Notification (OTN) – Templates won’t render in the thread because API calls will fail. Old templates will still be usable but users won’t be able to take any action on them
Send API: Typing indicator won’t be visible
Receive API (Webhooks): User can send attachments but will receive an error message letting them know the business may not have received the attachment
Persona API: Persona details (name & profile pic) won’t show in the thread.
Users are not offered the Chat Plugin Guest Mode Upgrade
Web Plugins (Send to Messenger Checkbox plugin) won’t render

What does this error message mean?

If you’re an EU citizen, there is a list of requirements that indicate how personal data CAN and CAN NOT be used. Some of these rights are protected under GDPR.

The purpose of GDPR is to protect personal data. The European Union has accepted that personal data exports are made only to countries where the legal framework and regime are “no less favorable than the one, adopted in the EU”.

This means that the USA is absolutely NOT one of these countries.

Unfortunately, that’s not the first time when the EU has had a big problem with the data collection made by Facebook. The EU has a strict process called DPIA where it considers how the data of citizens is being treated, saved, secured, shared, and so on.

Who sees the error message on Facebook Messenger and Instagram?

All of the 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries, which includes the 27 EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and the UK.

What happened? Why does the message “Some Feature Not Available” appear?

Facebook Dating
The start of Facebook Dating most probably also got the platform into a lot of trouble. It turns out that an Irish data agency called DPC currently investigates whether Facebook violated the GDPR regulations. Now the legal team of the tech company has to do a lot of explaining before the problem is sorted out.

Facebook & UK users

Another interesting change is also happening – Facebook announced that UK users will be no longer treated like EU citizens and privacy restrictions will stop being valid for them. This is a logical step, as Brexit is coming up really soon. UK users will be treated under California’s terms.

When will the message “Some Features Not Available” stop appearing on Facebook & Instagram?

In an official public statement, Facebook said: “We’re looking into ways to continue to support developers, partners, and businesses who use these features in the Messenger API. We’ll share more updates as information becomes available”.

Now you know why Some Features are Not Available – Facebook & Instagrams Users. The message will keep on showing for European users. Don’t worry you are not restricted or blocked. Perhaps that’s the reason why a few days ago Facebook Messenger and Instagram were down globally for a few hours.

Read more: Facebook’s statement “Some Messaging Campaigns and Performance Reporting Unavailable”

About the Author

Vyara Stefcheva

Vyara Stefcheva is a prominent figure in the world of Web3, innovative marketing and business development. As the CEO of Zahara Consult, she has played a key role in helping numerous IT, FinTech and High-Tech companies from around the world succeed in their respective industries. With a focus on innovation and a deep understanding of the latest trends and technologies, Vyara is among the pioneers of the Web3 movement.

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