Twitter now allows anyone to send you a direct message, even if you don’t follow them

Direct Messages on Twitter are about to become a lot more useful or annoying).

Previously, you could only receive direct messages from users who follow you, but Twitter has now implemented an optional feature that opens your account to messages from anyone.

The new setting is turned off by default – likely to prevent harassment – but you can switch things up in your settings menu.

You can still message whoever anyone has already followed you, of course. The company is even adding a prominent direct message button to profiles on the iPhone (not yet on the iPad, sorry) and Android devices to encourage you to use the feature.

It’s actually not completely new however; the ability to allow anyone to message you rolled out as a test in October 2013, before being killed off a month later.

It’s an interesting move by the company, likely in an effort to stave off the growth of messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Twitter recently announced direct messages for groups too, so it’s clearly looking to leave its mark in the space.

Twitter says the feature is rolling out worldwide today.

➤ Easier than ever to have private conversations [Twitter]