DM Request Enhancement — Disable Chat Until Request Is Accepted

[cipherswami]

Body:

Currently, users must type a message to trigger a DM request. Instead, the sender should be able to send a DM request without typing any message, and chatting should begin only after the receiver accepts — ensuring stronger privacy and explicit consent before any communication.

Proposed Change

• Users can only send a DM request — no message included.
• Messaging is completely disabled until the request is accepted.
• Once accepted, messaging becomes available.

Event Example

• User A send DM request to User B.
• User B accepted the DM request.
• Now enable chat for both users.

[awtj8o81ryywg793]

What client are we talking about here? Element X, or Element Web/Desktop?

Quoted from the initial post:

Currently, users must type a message to trigger a DM request. Instead, the sender should be able to send a DM request without typing any message, and chatting should begin only after the receiver accepts — ensuring stronger privacy and explicit consent before any communication.

Currently, at least regarding Element X, you don't send a message to trigger a DM request. Instead, you send a DM invite. So, at least within Element X, the behaviour you are looking for already exists.

I'm not a fan of the idea of restricting the ability to send messages until the other party accepts the invite. Considering they can't see any messages until they accept such an invite, I fail to see how that improves privacy or consent. By removing the ability to send messages before the other party accepts the invitation, you hinder usability in situations where you need to get information to someone quickly and asynchronously.

[cipherswami]

No beg deal, just small improvisation.

I'm not really sure how the implementation is, but I'm thinking to send a message you need to create a room. If the request is going to be rejected why to create an empty room.

[awtj8o81ryywg793]

Quoted from the last reply:

If the request is going to be rejected why to create an empty room.

I see what you mean regarding a situation where the DM invitation is rejected; it may seem a bit wasteful to have a room with just yourself in it (though it wouldn't technically be empty). However, without creating a room, what are you actually inviting the other individual to?

While I understand your perspective, by not allowing messages to be sent before the invite is accepted, you hinder users who may need to send messages without waiting for an acknowledgement of the invite. Consider a scenario where you need to send messages to an individual who may not be available when you are, either due to differences in time zones or because they might be away for an extended, unspecified period.