YouTube is experimenting with direct messages, six years after removing them. A new entry on the platform support site says the company is testing “new ways to share videos” inside the mobile app. The test is tiny to start. Only adults in Ireland and Poland will see the feature for now.
The experiment looks a lot like the old DM system, launched in 2017 and shut down in 2019. This time, users will be able to send clips and chat about videos inside the app. Do not expect private conversations. YouTube is clear that automated systems can scan messages, and that people may review them to ensure they comply with the Community Guidelines. The platform’s wording in a YouTube support thread explains the limited-region rollout and the moderation caveat. The company adds that messaging has been a frequent feature request, but that safety checks will remain part of the experience.
Only a small pool of users will be able to send and receive messages at first. The platform has not given a schedule for wider availability or confirmed whether the feature will graduate from testing to a global release. Messages may be scanned for content that violates policies. YouTube says its systems may flag content that could cause real-world harm, and that flagged content may be reviewed. The company provided no further details on retention, end-to-end encryption, or the manual review process.
This raises the familiar trade-off for people who want quicker ways to share videos with friends. You get convenience. You also accept that private chat may not be completely private when rules and safety systems are in play. Expect more testing notes if the feature expands. For now, the rollout is constrained, and the safety framing will be the defining detail of any public return.
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