Facebook Messenger gets WhatsApp like end-to-end encryption; what it means for users

Following in the footsteps of its sister app WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger is finally getting end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for one-on-one chats. This major update will bring greater privacy and security to millions of users around the world.

Meta in a blog post announced it is rolling out default end-to-end encryption for personal messages and calls on Messenger and Facebook. “Since 2016, Messenger has had the option for people to turn on end-to-end encryption, but we’re now changing personal chats and calls across Messenger to be end-to-end encrypted by default,” Loredana Crisan, Vice President at Messenger wrote in the announcement post.

Crisan informed that this feature has taken years to deliver and its makers have worked tirelessly to build Messenger features from scratch. Meta has introduced new features focused on privacy, safety, and control. These features include delivery controls, allowing users to choose who can message them, and an app lock alongside the existing safety features like report, block, and message requests have been emphasised.

The company has collaborated with external experts, academics, advocates, and governments to identify potential risks and implement measures to ensure that privacy and safety are prioritized together. The overarching goal is to enhance user protection and control within the platform.

End to end encryption adds messages and calls in transit, making them unreadable even to Facebook itself. This means only the sender and recipient can access the content, ensuring greater protection against unauthorised access and data breaches.

What does this mean for Messenger users?

E2EE in Messenger means your messages and calls will be more secure, making it harder for anyone to eavesdrop on your conversations. It also gives you the power to decide who you want to talk to privately and who you don’t.