iWorld
Meta shutters standalone Messenger website from April 2026
Desktop chats redirect to facebook.com/messages, mobile app remains unaffected for web-independent users.
MUMBAI: Messenger’s web independence is signing off proving that even in the digital age, some chats just can’t escape the Facebook family reunion. Meta has confirmed it will pull the plug on messenger.com as a standalone site starting April 2026, automatically redirecting desktop visitors to facebook.com/messages to keep conversations flowing. The update, posted on the company’s help pages and first spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, comes with pop-up notifications on both the Messenger site and app.
The change follows Meta’s earlier retirement of the dedicated Messenger desktop apps for Windows and Mac, which already funnelled users to Facebook’s web interface. For those who’ve deactivated their Facebook accounts but still use Messenger via browser, the move shrinks options further leaving only the mobile app as a lifeline. Chat history stays safe through the secure backup PIN process (with a reset option if forgotten), but web access without a Facebook login is effectively over.
This is the latest twist in Messenger’s long identity crisis. Born as Facebook Chat in 2008, it spun off into a standalone app in 2011 and got fully separated from the main Facebook mobile app in 2014 to boost its own adoption. Yet the pendulum has swung back, since 2023, Facebook has been quietly reintegrating Messenger features into its core platform, slowly dissolving the walls between the two.
Meta frames the shift as a streamlining move consolidating messaging under one roof to simplify infrastructure and user experience. But for the corner of users who preferred Messenger’s lighter, less Facebook-tied web version, it’s a step that feels more like consolidation than convenience.
Whether you’re a die-hard desktop chatter or just someone who logs in occasionally, the message is clear: in Meta’s world, going solo online is becoming a relic. From April 2026, if you’re on a computer, expect the redirect and perhaps a gentle nudge back toward the full Facebook fold.
iWorld
Sunil Bharti Mittal to retire as Airtel Africa chair, Gopal Vittal takes over
Gopal Vittal to take helm while family and sustainability continuity assured
LAGOS: Airtel Africa plc is set for a leadership refresh as Sunil Bharti Mittal announces his retirement as chair at the company’s annual general meeting in July 2026. He has steered the board since its 2019 listing and leaves a legacy of growth across 14 African countries.
Taking the reins will be Gopal Vittal, a telecom stalwart and current board chair of the GSMA, who brings a proven record of driving Bharti Airtel to record market shares. Shravin Bharti Mittal will serve as deputy chair, ensuring continuity with the founding family and acting as a bridge to Airtel Money and the company’s Dubai headquarters.
In another board change, Annika Poutiainen will retire after more than seven years, leaving behind a strong imprint on the audit, risk, and sustainability fronts.
Commenting on the changes, Sunil Bharti Mittal thanked the board and Annika for their support and leadership, noting Airtel Africa’s strategy and leadership team are robust and well-positioned for future growth.
Tsega Gebreyes added that Sunil’s tenure has been instrumental, from Airtel Africa’s 2010 acquisition to its 2019 listing and current FTSE100 standing, praising his global telecom leadership and vision.
The upcoming AGM marks a pivotal moment for Airtel Africa, signalling a smooth transition while reinforcing its commitment to connectivity and growth across the continent.
