Seven years after claiming that the “future is private”, Meta is ending support for end-to-end encryption on direct messages in Instagram.
The ultra-private form of messaging, which only allows the sender and recipient to view messages, was an optional feature on the hugely popular social media app.
By removing it, internet service providers and Meta will be able to access private messages.
Meta said the update, which comes into force today, was because too few people used end-to-end encryption for it to be worthwhile.
“Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption can easily do that on WhatsApp,” a Meta spokesperson said.
The app’s updated terms and conditions state: “End-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram will no longer be supported after 8 May.
“If you have chats affected by this change, you will see instructions on how to download any media or messages you may wish to keep.”
The move has been praised by child protection groups like the NSPCC, claiming it will prevent grooming and child abuse from going unseen. However privacy campaigners say the decision is a step backwards and could actually harm children by exposing their data.
“Pulling the plug on Instagram encryption is a white flag to surveillance, and a gift to their own AI training sets,” Matthew Hodgson, chief executive of the communications platform Element, told The Independent.
Award-winning security software you can trust. Always.
Get All-in-One Protection for Your Digital Life.
LEARN MORE
ADVERTISEMENT
Award-winning security software you can trust. Always.
Get All-in-One Protection for Your Digital Life.
LEARN MORE
ADVERTISEMENT
“By switching off end-to-end encryption, Meta is claiming the keys to your private life. It has decided that the data harvested from your voice notes and DMs is more valuable than your fundamental right to a private conversation.”
Mr Hodgson described Meta’s excuse of low opt-in rates as a “classic Big Tech distraction”, adding that “if the future were actually private, privacy would be the default, not a hidden setting Meta can delete when it suits its bottom line.”
