- Meta will end encrypted Instagram chats after May 8, 2026.
- The move follows internal warnings about encryption hindering illegal activity detection.
- The European Commission is evaluating lawful access solutions to encrypted data.
Meta announced plans to discontinue support for end-to-end encryption on Instagram chats after May 8, 2026, marking a significant reversal of its privacy-focused strategy. The company said affected users will see instructions for downloading messages they want to keep, according to a help document.
The feature was first tested in 2021 and later made available to adults in Ukraine and Russia during the 2022 conflict. However, Reuters reported that Meta proceeded with encryption despite 2019 warnings about hindering detection of illegal activities.
E2EE has been hailed as a win for privacy by ensuring only communicating users can read messages. Consequently, law enforcement argues it creates a “Going Dark” safe space for criminals, preventing compliance with warrants.
Meanwhile, TikTok recently said it does not plan to introduce E2EE, claiming it makes users less safe. The European Commission is expected to present a Technology Roadmap this year evaluating solutions for lawful data access.
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