After much hype, Meta has finally rolled out end-to-end encryption for its Facebook Messenger app. Previously available as an optional feature, users will now find this e2e encryption enabled by default for their chats.
Facebook Messenger To Offer End-to-End Encryption By Default
According to a recent post, Meta – formerly Facebook – now offers end-to-end encryption to its Messenger and Facebook users.
As elaborated, Meta’s default encryption is based on the trusted Signal protocol and Meta’s own Labyrinth protocol. With end-to-end (e2e) encryption enabled by default, users can trust their text messages, images, calls, and other data to remain secure from third parties, including Meta.
Besides encrypting chats, Meta also improvised the features by launching edit messages, disappearing messages, and high media quality functionalities.
The new encryption and feature upgrades have been released for all users immediately. Yet, Meta clarified that given the huge user base, it might take a few months for all users to receive these features. Nonetheless, as the feature becomes available, users will receive the prompts to set up recovery methods for their data.
Facebook Messenger’s encryption isn’t entirely a new feature. It was already accessible as an optional security feature that users could enable as they wanted. However, despite being around since 2016, it wasn’t popular among Messenger users, particularly non-technical individuals. This lack of default encryption availability contributed to the continued popularity of Meta’s WhatsApp, which boasts the Signal encryption protocol to secure chats.
Eventually, considering the rising popularity of end-to-end encryption, Meta decided to launch the same for its Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger apps as the default configuration. However, as elaborated a couple of years ago, Meta planned this move for the end of 2023.
And now, Facebook and Messenger users can enjoy protected communications over these platforms with the default end-to-end encryption.
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