Messenger is a feature-packed messaging app. But when it comes to security and privacy, it lagged.
In the days where people use their gadgets for almost anything, communication remains mobile device's main purpose. And when it comes to privacy, one of the best ways to keep prying eyes from snooping, is through end-to-end encryption.
Messenger added end-to-end encryption back in 2016 when it was still called Facebook Messenger, and Meta was still Facebook.
This time, the social giant has made the optional feature fully rolled out to everyone, packed with a number of updates.
It's worth noting that Meta has yet to switch to end-to-end encryption by default.
At this time, Messenger users who wish to use end-to-end encryption on their chat, can do so by opting in to secure chats, like through the Vanish mode, or by activating Secret Conversations.
In its attempt to roll out end-to-end encryption to all users, Meta introduces toggles to encrypt text messages as well as group chats and calls.
In addition to a full rollout of the end-to-end encryption feature, Messenger is finally allowing GIFs, stickers, reactions, and long-press to reply or forward messages.
Encrypted chats also finally support verified badges so that people can identify authentic accounts.
What's more, users can also save media exchanged in the chats.
And finally, there is the screenshot notification that can notify senders when their disappearing encrypted message is screen-grabbed by the recipient.
"Building secure and fun interactive features takes time and requires our engineers to innovate and solve technical challenges, so this is part of a series of product updates as we keep improving our services," said Messenger in its announcement.
Encryption, paired with disappearing message feature, should make users a lot safer when using Messenger.
However, despite privacy experts and pro-encryption groups and individuals have said that making encryption the default setting across platforms should improve user privacy across the board, Meta has faced a number of challenges.
This is because encryption could hinder efforts to combat online child abuse, and track criminal activities when they are online.
This is why in 2021, Meta’s head of safety, Antigone Davis, said that end-to-end encryption on Messenger wouldn't come as default at least 2023, a delay from previous 2022 estimates.
"We’re taking our time to get this right and we don’t plan to finish the global rollout of end-to-end encryption by default across all our messaging services until sometime in 2023," wrote Davis.
"As a company that connects billions of people around the world and has built industry-leading technology, we’re determined to protect people’s private communications and keep people safe online."
In the meantime, users can use WhatsApp, which is already defaulted to end-to-end encryption for years.