Messenger Finally Switches to End-to-End Encryption with Default System

JAKARTA – Meta has finally made end-to-end encryption standard on Messenger. With default encryption implemented, this method is no longer an option for Messenger users.

Speaking to The Verge, a Meta representative said that switching the previous encryption system to the default encryption was not an easy journey. All engineers, designers, and even policy experts participated in this change.

"This has taken years to happen because we have taken the time to fix it," said Vice President of Messenger, Loredana Crisan, quoted by VOI from The Verge.

In fact, end-to-end encryption is nothing new for Meta because they have been releasing this encryption since 2016. However, end-to-end encryption in Messenger comes in the form of opt-in or requires permission from the user.

This means that this encryption is optional. Only users who enable the end-to-end encryption feature can strictly guard the privacy of their chats, both to the company and to law enforcement agencies.

With this announcement, Meta finally has two platforms that are encrypted by default, namely Messenger and WhatsApp. Even though it has been launched, Crisan said that this encryption is still being released in stages globally.

Meanwhile, Instagram still uses an opt-in end-to-end encryption method in its messaging feature. Reportedly, Meta will also make this encryption the default shortly after Messenger uses the default encryption in private chats.