JAKARTA - Instagram is stopping its end-to-end encryption feature for direct messages or DMs starting May 8. With this change, Instagram DMs are back to using standard encryption.
Euronews, Friday, May 8, reported that Meta conveyed the change through the Instagram help page. After the feature was turned off, Meta could access the contents of the message if necessary.
End-to-end encryption is a security system that makes messages only readable by the sender and recipient. This system is widely used to maintain private conversations, including financial transactions.
Meanwhile, standard encryption still protects messages when sent between users and the platform. The difference is that service providers can still access the contents of messages under certain conditions, including text, images, videos, and voice messages.
Meta previously pushed for the expansion of end-to-end encryption through the slogan "the future is privacy". In 2019, Meta promised to bring the feature to Facebook and Instagram messaging services. The launch on Facebook Messenger was completed in 2023.
However, the expansion of these features has raised concerns from governments and child protection organizations. A 2023 report by the European Parliamentary Research Service said that end-to-end encryption could make it difficult to investigate cases of online child sexual abuse because data is not easily accessible.
Starting May 8, Instagram users around the world no longer have the option to enable end-to-end encrypted DMs. Meta previously released the feature as an option, with plans to make it a default setting.
Meta said the decision was made because the use of the feature was limited.
This change also makes it technically easier for Meta to process message content for artificial intelligence features or targeted advertising. However, Meta clarified to Snopes in November 2025 that DMs are not used to train its artificial intelligence systems.
Users who have enabled end-to-end encryption can download media or messages they want to keep, according to Meta.
For sensitive information, such as financial data, users are advised to use messaging services that have enabled end-to-end encryption as a default setting.
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