Meta Platforms has reportedly discontinued end-to-end encryption support for direct messages on Instagram, a decision that has raised concerns among users and digital privacy advocates.
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The feature previously ensured that only the sender and recipient could access message content, offering an added layer of privacy and protection against unauthorized access.
Following the change, Instagram direct messages are no longer fully secured with end-to-end encryption, meaning communications could potentially be accessed by service providers or the company under certain circumstances.
Meta said the decision was implemented recently and explained that the encryption feature had low user adoption, making continued maintenance difficult and less practical.
A company spokesperson noted that users seeking fully encrypted messaging services can still use WhatsApp, which continues to offer end-to-end encryption by default.
The move has sparked debate among cybersecurity experts and privacy campaigners, many of whom argue that reducing encryption protections could increase risks related to user data security and online surveillance.
The development comes at a time when governments and technology companies worldwide are increasingly debating the balance between digital privacy, security, and lawful access to online communications.
