<2> Instagram Discontinues End-To-End Encryption For DMs
<3> Meta’s Plan to Remove End-To-End Encryption from Instagram Direct Messages
Meta plans to remove end-to-end encryption (E2EE) from Instagram direct messages by May 8, 2026. “Very few people were opting in to end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we’re removing this option from Instagram in the coming months,” says Meta. “Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption can easily do that on WhatsApp.”
<3> The History of End-To-End Encryption on Instagram
The American company first began testing E2EE for Instagram direct messages in 2021 as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s “privacy-focused vision for social networking.” The feature is currently “only available in some areas” and is not enabled by default. Weeks into the Russo-Ukrainian war in February 2022, the company made encrypted direct messaging available to all adult users in both countries.
<3> A Comparison with TikTok
Last week, TikTok said it would not introduce E2EE, arguing it makes users less safe by preventing police and safety teams from being able to read direct messages if needed.
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