from 21 December, messaging apps will fall under EU rules known as the ePrivacy directive, which imposes stricter regulations on data use across communications services operating in countries part of the European Union.
Facebook has decided to address this by switching off several interactive options, instead offering only a basic messaging service until any extras can be added back into the apps.
The company has not published a full list of all the features it would be suspending in Europe, as it hoped to be able to quickly reinstate the ones that it was confident complied with the change.
However, the BBC reports that one feature known to be switched off is group chat polls on Messenger, along with setting nicknames for friends on the app.
other missing features may include a 'lack of certain file sense on Messenger', and there will be no personalised replies.
ver on Instagram, users will not be able to share augmented-reality face filters via direct message, and they may also notice a lack of stickers.
Facebook hopes to bring such features back, but has not said when this may be.
It said in a statement: "We're still determining the best way to bring these features back. It takes time to rebuild products in a way that work seamlessly for people and also comply with new regulation."
The features are being deactivated in stages, meaning some people will still be able to use them for the next few days. Others may see that they've already been removed as options from their chats.
