Facebook Messenger to get end-to-end encryption by default

Meta releases end-to-end encryption for Messenger in new update, ensuring safety of users on the platform

Meta Platform is finally rolling out end-to-end encryption for Messenger after years of promises and tests. According to Mark Zuckerberg, personal chats and calls will get default end-to-end encryption, except group chats where it will remain optional.

End-to-end encryption has become a vital security layer, ensuring that the company or any third-party can access the content of the chat.

“This has taken years to deliver because we’ve taken our time to get this right. Our engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts, and product managers have worked tirelessly to rebuild Messenger features from the ground up,” Meta’s head of Messenger, Loredana Crisan, said in a blog post.

Meta explained the delay in introducing the security feature was because the company had to build some features from the ground up to incooperate end-to-end encryption. In August, the company promised Instagram DMs, the same feature right after Messenger.

In its new update, Messenger is also getting a feature to edit sent messages up to 15 minutes after sending; speed control for voice messages to play those audio clips at 1.5x or 2x; new photo and video layouts; and a new interface for disappearing messages. Meta is also working on sending HD images and videos on the platform.