Meta has announced the removal of “end-to-end encryption” from direct messages on Instagram by May 8, 2026.
The company said the privacy feature was removed due to low user adoption.
The privacy feature that rolled out in 2021 as part of the company’s mission to create a more private social media ecosystem will not be discontinued, Meta confirmed.
In a statement, Meta said: “Very few people were opting for end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we’re removing that option from Instagram. »
For users who want to have a more secure conversation, it is recommended to use WhatsApp, which has end-to-end encryption by default.
On Instagram, users must manually enable the feature. As of now, Meta has not announced any replacement features for encrypted messaging.
Users who were using encrypted messages will soon receive instructions on how to download media and messages before the option disappears.
Last week, TikTok also decided not to introduce encrypted messages, saying encryption can hinder the ability of law enforcement and security teams to review messages when needed.
Experts have expressed concern over Meta’s decision, noting that it eliminates options for users seeking secure communication.
