Meta Brings End-to-End Encryption to Facebook Messenger

Meta has started rolling out end-to-end encryption for all messages and calls on Facebook Messenger. Encryption will be enabled by default (including on Facebook), and it’s a positive development for a platform used by over 3 billion monthly active users today.

End-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger leverages the Signal protocol as well as Meta’s own Labyrinth protocol. Facebook Messenger actually got support for end-to-end encryption back in 2016, but until now, users had to enable it on their own.

Back in August, Meta said that it started enabling end-to-end encryption on Messenger for millions of users. At the time, the company said that it expected the rollout to be completed by the end of the year, so the company did keep its promise.

“The extra layer of security provided by end-to-end encryption means that the content of your messages and calls with friends and family are protected from the moment they leave your device to the moment they reach the receiver’s device. This means that nobody, including Meta, can see what’s sent or said, unless you choose to report a message to us,” explained Head of Messenger Loredana Crisan.

In addition to default end-to-end encryption, Facebook Messenger is getting other new features such as the ability to edit messages for up to 15 minutes after you send them. The app is also getting HD media support, more granular controls for read receipts, and the ability to play voice messages at 1.5x or 2x speeds.

Overall, the company said that this is “the biggest set of improvements to Messenger” since the app launched back in 2011. In other Messenger-related news, however, Meta quietly announced earlier this week that it was planning to disable cross-messaging between Facebook Messenger and Instagram in mid-December.