With online privacy being such a hot-button issue in recent years, it’s kind of surprising that Facebook Messenger, one of the most-used messenger apps, hasn’t yet implemented end-to-end encryption by default. Particularly when WhatsApp, another Meta-owned messaging app, has been offering end-to-end encryption since 2016. Right now, your Facebook messages can be accessed by Meta staff and could even be handed over to law enforcement, much like a recent case in Nebraska.
That being said, end-to-end encryption is available for some users. You can even make certain messages disappear within a certain time frame. However, the availability of encryption is currently limited to Android and iOS devices; it’s not yet available on computers. You can find out how to implement it here.
The good news is that Meta recently announced it would be rolling out new encryption and privacy features for all Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM users soon. The question is, why has it taken so long to get here?
The reason for slow adoption
According to The Verge, Meta has been slow to roll out more encryption features on its Facebook Messenger app because there simply isn’t much of an appetite for it among the majority of its users. Meta employees told The Verge that it seems that most people don’t understand end-to-end encryption and why it’s a good idea. Its user research has found that people become concerned when told they’re adding end-to-end encryption and wonder whether the company has been reading all their messages up until that point. Furthermore, users often presume that companies add new features for their own benefit rather than the benefit of the users. A survey even found that many Messenger users aren’t significantly concerned about their privacy using the app. Access to years of messages they’ve sent is seen as a benefit rather than a downside, despite the fact that they’re stored on a server that can be accessed by law enforcement.
Beyond apparent user reluctance, another challenge is that apps will have to be rebuilt from scratch in order to include new privacy features. Messenger also has a number of features — such as Watch Together, which allows people to message each other while watching a live video — that can easily break encryption. Another key challenge is the fact that many people don’t update their apps regularly. Encryption won’t work unless both users’ Messenger apps are up-to-date.
Despite these challenges, Meta will soon roll out encryption features.
How Meta will expand end-to-end encryption features
In the coming weeks, Meta will begin testing encryption across multiple Messenger features, such as replying to stories, calls, and having deleted messages sync across users’ other devices. It will also test a secure storage feature for backing up encrypted conversations. To access the backed-up conversations, both users will need to save a pin or generated code. Another option is to back up the conversations on a third-party cloud service. Meta will only be able to access these messages if one user reports them. Certain users will also begin having end-to-end encryption by default on some chats. Instagram will also start testing some encryption features.
Wrap up
While many will feel understandably skeptical about Meta’s myriad reasons for not rolling it out sooner, more access to end-to-end encryption is better late than never. While some users may not yet understand the significance or importance of encryption, the more widespread it is, the more normalized it will become, slowly but surely making the Internet a safer place to be.
Cora is a digital copywriter for SSLs.com. Having eight years of experience in online content creation, she is a versatile writer with an interest in a wide variety of topics, ranging from technology to marketing.