Meta finally releases end-to-end encryption on Messenger

2023-12-07 13:48:20

After years of promises and tests, the Meta anyway announced the implementation of end-to-end encryption no Messenger — which in individual conversations and calls is adopted by default, while in group chats/calls it still remains an optional feature.

Meta explained that the resource — which makes use of Signal protocol — took a long time to implement because the company had to rebuild some things.

This took years to deliver because we took our time to get it right. Our engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts, and product managers worked tirelessly to rebuild Messenger’s capabilities from the ground up.

—Loredana Crisanhead of Messenger at Meta.

End-to-end encryption is an important security layer, as it does not allow Meta (or third parties) to access the content of your conversations and calls, as detailed in this publication.

It is worth remembering that Meta announced plans to implement the feature for the first time in 2016. In 2021, the company brought the function to voice/video calls in the app and began providing an end-to-end encryption option for chats and calls in group in January 2022 — in the following August, the company confirmed that the resource would be made available at some point this year.

With this launch, Messenger stays abreast of WhatsApp, another Meta messenger that has been providing the additional layer of security for a long time. The feature now needs to reach Direct Messages (Direct Messagesou DMs) do Instagram.

Other features

In addition to this security news, Meta is also launching new features for Messenger, including the ability to edit a message up to 15 minutes after sending; new sets for sending multiple media (photos/videos) and one nova interface for temporary messages.

The company also launched speed controls for voice messages with 1.5x or 2x playback options and said it is working on the possibility of send high resolution photos and videos on Messenger — just like WhatsApp.