Hey there, tech lovers! Nuked here, ready to share some exciting news about Spotify’s latest move towards social fun.

Spotify is rolling out a new messaging feature to let you chat with friends directly within the app. This addition aims to make Spotify a more social platform, where sharing links to music and podcasts has been common for years. The new feature allows for private one-on-one conversations, but only with people you’ve previously shared content with.

To start chatting, you need to send a request, which the recipient must approve before the conversation begins. This includes friends on collaborative playlists, shared jams, or family plans. If someone sends you a Spotify link on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, you can tap to approve and start a chat. Spotify emphasizes that sharing outside the app still plays a role, with messaging acting as a complement.

Once inside, users can view messages from their profile and react with emojis. However, Spotify clarifies that messages are not end-to-end encrypted, although they are encrypted during transit and stored securely. The company also reviews messages to enforce its rules, and users can report inappropriate content.

Initially available in select Latin and South American markets on mobile, this feature will soon expand to regions including North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Spotify’s goal is to create a more interactive experience, building on previous social features like following others and commenting on podcasts, which have evolved over time.

Of course, if you find the feature overwhelming or prefer privacy, you can turn it off via settings. Overall, Spotify’s new messaging aims to foster more social interaction within the app, making music and podcasts sharing even more fun.