Messenger gets end-to-end encryption by default

Meta is finally delivering on a long-gestated promise by introducing end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats and calls on Messenger. According to the company, when end-to-end encryption is on, only you and the person you message can see the content of the message in Messenger. This feature has been available on rival platforms such as WhatsApp for a long time.

End-to-end encryption era for Messenger

Encrypted chats were first available as an optional feature in Messenger in 2016, but after a long hiatus, end-to-end encrypted messages and calls will now be enabled by default for conversations between two people. “It took years to deliver this because we took the time to get it right,” Messenger Vice President Loredana Crisan said in a statement. “Our engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts, and product managers have worked tirelessly to rebuild Messenger features from the ground up.” said.

According to Meta, there will be no changes to Messenger features when using encrypted chats, so you can still use things like themes and custom reactions. To transfer encrypted chats to another device, it will be necessary to create a pin for the chats. On the other hand, Meta notes that “it may take some time” for all Messenger chats to switch to default encryption. Additionally, for now, end-to-end encryption remains optional for group chats in Messenger.

Instagram messages are not encrypted by default, but in previous official statements it was said that this feature would come to the platform after it became default in Messenger. Enabling end-to-end encryption by default means Meta cannot see the content of chats. Likewise, Meta will not be able to hand over the content of these chats to law enforcement.