Twitter's newest feature update will allow users to receive Direct Messages from random Twitter users, whether you follow them or not.

The wildly popular online social networking service previously only allowed the exchange of private Direct Message among users who followed each other. But, on Monday, April 20, Twitter introduced the ability to DM anyone as long as they have the feature enabled on their account.

By expanding its popular direct message feature, Twitter is allowing users to receive messages from other users even if they do not follow each other. The move is a part of an ongoing effort to boost user growth in the wake of continued pressure from Wall Street investors, according to CNet.

The feature could be particularly helpful to celebs and large companies, who will now be able to respond to people who send them messages without first having to establish a connection.

According to SlashGear, the new feature may be a sign of things to come for the social networking giant. Strong rumors making rounds for a long time hint that Twitter's own separate private messenger service is in the making.

However, the public took the announcement in a completely wrong direction as they saw the potential for chaos rather than focusing on how the new feature will help those that wished to be more open to all users. That said, Twitter has this feature turned off by default.

Check out the steps to receive Direct Messages from anyone active.

• Open Twitter in a Web browser and sign in
• Click on the icon in the upper right-hand corner
• This reveals a list of links
• Click on Settings
• On the Settings page, click on Security and Privacy
• On Security and Privacy page, scroll down all the way to the bottom of the list to find the newly minted "Direct Messages from anyone" feature.
• An unchecked box implies you won't be getting any PMs from anyone you're not already connected with.

Android and iOS users will probably find this option in their respective Android and iOS apps for Twitter later this week. This feature is slated to appear on Web browsers on desktop machines across the world.

Twitter introduced a feature that made it possible to share tweets via Direct Message last year. However, DMs could still only be sent between users who followed each other.

Do you think this feature will actually help Twitter users who wish to be more open to all users or the idea of someone sending messages indiscriminately at all times will stop users from using it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!