Messenger introduced end-to-end encryption (E2EE) back in 2016, and today Zuckerberg announced in an update that the feature is now available to all users and encrypts individual and group chat messages and calls. Meta has discussed whether to enable the E2EE feature by default, but it has been delayed because some regulators believe it will harm public safety.
Messenger users now have two ways to chat securely, one is through “vanish” mode, which is swiping up in an existing chat, which will automatically disappear when the window is closed; and the other is 2016 Introduced in 2009 with the “Secret Conversations” feature, you can toggle the lock icon to open this mode when starting a new chat.
In addition to the general promotion of E2EE features, the new version of Messenger also introduces some new features. In end-to-end encrypted chats, you can now use GIFs, stickers, reactions, and long-press to reply or forward messages. Encrypted chat now also supports verification badges so that people can identify the real account. You can also save media exchanged in chats, and there’s a Snapchat-style screenshot notification coming in the coming weeks.