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Meta is introducing end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats and calls on its Messenger platform, marking the fulfillment of a promise made by the company. While encrypted chats were initially introduced as an opt-in feature in 2016, the move to make end-to-end encryption the default standard for conversations between two people is a significant step forward. According to Loredana Crisan, VP of Messenger, this decision comes after years of meticulous work by a team of engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts, and product managers.
With end-to-end encryption enabled, only the sender and the recipient can access the contents of a message, enhancing the privacy and security of communications on Messenger. Users will still have access to Messenger features like themes and custom reactions without compromising encryption. However, the transition to default encryption for all Messenger chats may take some time to complete.
While this move is a positive step toward enhancing user privacy, end-to-end encryption for group Messenger chats remains opt-in for the time being. Additionally, Instagram messages are not encrypted by default, although Meta announced plans to implement default private Messenger chats on Instagram shortly after this update.
Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced in 2019 the company's intention to shift toward encrypted ephemeral messages across its messaging apps. The move to default encryption means that Meta will be unable to view the contents of most Messenger chats, providing an additional layer of security for users. However, critics argue that encryption can make it challenging to identify and apprehend individuals engaging in illicit activities on encrypted platforms. This update aligns with Meta's broader vision for a more private and secure messaging experience across its platforms.
