Unlike WhatsApp, which supports universal encryption (E2EE) by default, such a feature does not exist on Instagram and Facebook Messenger. While we expected this feature to be enabled soon for these services, Meta does not appear to have any plans to enable this feature on Instagram and Facebook Messenger by 2023.
Antigon Davis, Meta’s director of safety, says the delay is to protect users’ safety. Global encryption means that only the two parties to the conversation can access and view the messages. Davis says Meta wants to make sure the cryptography does not prevent them from engaging in criminal activity. When two-way encryption is enabled by default, Meta will use a combination of unencrypted data, account information, and user reports in all of its applications to protect the safety of individuals and the community.
Meta said in a blog post a few months ago that two-way encryption will be enabled in 2022 for Instagram and Facebook Messenger as soon as possible. But now Davis has announced that the company is looking to solve potential problems, and their plan to activate the default feature of this feature will be postponed to 2023 as soon as possible.
Various countries, including the United Kingdom, have pressured Meta to abandon the two-way cryptographic system in order to protect children online. The “Online Safety Bill” will be implemented in the UK in 2023, according to which online platforms must protect children from the harms of cyberspace. “Unfortunately, at a time when we need to be more proactive, Facebook is still looking for two-way encryption systems that are well-executed and compromise,” said Home Secretary Preity Patel.
Last year, several countries, including the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and Japan, called for back-to-back services to provide access to encrypted information and messages if a court order is issued.
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