Twitter is making it easier to take direct messages private, carving out a bigger space for targeted exchanges on the popular microblogging service. Previously, direct messaging could only occur between two Twitter users "following" each other.

As of Monday, a user can change the settings on his accounts to allow receipt of a direct message from anyone, including those who do not follow the user. In turn, the user can reply with a direct message to the sender, regardless of whether the sender follows the user, Twitter announced.

Users who opt in can still take steps to block unwanted direct messages from a specific sender.