Meta tests messaging encryption on Messenger and Instagram

by | Aug 16, 2022 | News | 0 comments

End-to End Encrypted Chats on Facebook Messenger 

Meta starts testing a new secure storage feature for backups of end-to-end encrypted chats on Messenger. 

The company made the announcement that it is working to protect user privacy with an update that allows users to back up their end-to-end encrypted chats.

Meta has also revealed that over the coming weeks, they will be rolling out more tests and updates on end-to-end encrypted chat threads.

“We’re working hard to protect your personal messages and calls with end-to-end encryption by default on Messenger and Instagram.”

In case you plan to switch your device, or you sort of lose your device, you will now be able to restore your message history on your new device.

According to Meta,

“Your message history is important, and end-to-end encrypted Messenger conversations are currently stored on your device. With that in mind, we’re testing secure storage to back up those messages in case you lose your phone or want to restore your message history on a new, supported device.”

With this new update, users will have their messages stored in an encrypted server that will be unlocked only with a specific CODE or PIN.

Plus, Meta claims that it will have absolutely zero access to these messages, facilitating a secure backup.

Other Features and Tests that Meta is planning include: 

1. Expanding features and surfaces: Soon, deleted messages will sync across your other devices. They’ll also begin testing the ability to unsend messages, reply to Facebook Stories and offer other ways to access your end-to-end encrypted messages and calls.

2. Code Verify: This security feature, called Code Verify, is an open-source web browser extension that automatically verifies the authenticity of the code when using http://www.messenger.com.

3. Testing end-to-end encryption of chats: This week, they’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.

4. Removal of vanish mode on Messenger: They are removing vanish mode, but disappearing messages will still be available in the settings of your end-to-end encrypted chats.

5. Testing expanded chat features on Instagram: They’ll soon expand the test even further to include people in more countries to opt-in end-to-end encrypted messages and calls on Instagram.

This reflects how Meta is focusing more and more on user privacy, making chat settings on the platform similar to that on WhatsApp. But again, it might invite some illegal and questionable interactions and exchanges.