Facebook Messenger Gets Opt-In End-To-End Encryption For Chats And Calls

It will take some more time to roll out default end-to-end encryption for the Messenger chat experience, unlike WhatsApp.

Facebook Messenger Gets Opt-In End-To-End Encryption For Chats And Calls/Credit: Meta

New Delhi: Meta (formerly Facebook) is rolling out opt-in end-to-end encryption for its flagship Messenger's group chats and calls. However, it will take some more time to roll out default end-to-end encryption for the Messenger chat experience. One of the most useful features is Messenger's new screenshot notifications in end-to-end encrypted chats that will alert users if their messages from Messenger’s disappearing messages are snapped.

"Today, we’re announcing updates for Messenger’s opt-in end-to-end encrypted chats that will help improve your messaging experience," Timothy Buck, Product Manager, Messenger, said in a statement late on Thursday.

"Building secure and fun interactive features takes time and requires our engineers to innovate and solve technical challenges, so this is part of a series of product updates as we keep improving our services. With cybercrime and hacking on the rise, it’s more important than ever to find great ways to connect with friends and family through private and secure communications."

Below are the detailed features that are rolling out with the opt-in end-to-end encryption for Messenger group chats and calls:

End-to-end Encrypted Group Chats and Calls in Messenger: The company began testing end-to-end encryption for group chats, including voice and video calls last year, and now, the feature is available to everyone. Now, users can choose to connect with their friends and family in a private and secure way. 

Screenshot notifications: The company is introducing a new notification when it detects that someone screenshots a disappearing message.

"We think it’s important that you are able to use encrypted chats and feel safe, so we want to keep you informed if anyone takes screenshots of your disappearing messages. This is the same feature we offer in Messenger’s vanish mode, and now we’re rolling out this notification over the next few weeks for disappearing messages in our end-to-end encrypted chats," Buck added.

GIFs and Stickers: To let users level up their chats and express themselves better, GIFs and Stickers are now available for a more feature-rich chat experience in end-to-end encrypted chats.

Reactions: With reactions, users will be able tap and hold on a message to bring up the reactions tray to make their choice of reaction. They can also double-tap a message to “heart” it, much like what they can do on a Facebook post.

Typing Indicators: To help users feel more present in their encrypted 1:1 and group chats, typing indicators are now available so that they can see when others are typing, similar to what we have seen on WhatsApp and Instagram.