Meta looking to bring automatic end-to-end encryption to Facebook Messenger

The end-to-end encryption protecting WhatsApp’s messages is one of the app’s most popular and headline-grabbing features. Privacy is a big issue these days and more and more users are becoming fearful about what could happen if their private messages fall into the wrong hands. It is in this context that Meta has announced it is testing protecting Facebook Messenger chats with end-to-end encryption by default too.

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In a Meta blog post, the company has announced that it is testing automatically applying end-to-end encryption to Messenger chat threads on top of tests of a new secure storage feature on Messenger to back them up.

The test to begin automatically encrypting chats will roll out to some users on Android and iOS in the coming days. This means users won’t have to opt into the feature and that all messages will be end-to-end encrypted by default. Meta said:

“This week, we’ll begin testing default end-to-end encrypted chats between some people. If you’re in the test group, some of your most frequent chats may be automatically end-to-end encrypted, which means you won’t have to opt in to the feature. You’ll still have access to your message history, but any new messages or calls with that person will be end-to-end encrypted.”

Meta is going to also begin testing the new secure storage feature this week on both its Android and iOS apps. When it comes into play, the feature will mean Meta won’t have access to your messages unless you report them to the company. The feature will also allow you to import your messages to new devices and will be protected by a 2-step verification feature.

This move from Meta is very much a work in progress as the company looks to move towards a future where all personal messages and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption. According to the Meta blog post, the social giant is hoping to be able to roll these features out to all users at some point in 2023.

In other recent news, Meta is looking for help training its new AI chatbot. Would you like to help Meta train an AI?