Facebook Messenger has undergone a significant transformation in its approach to privacy and security, particularly with the discontinuation of its “secret conversations” feature. This change is part of Meta’s broader initiative to enhance user privacy by rolling out default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for eligible one-on-one chats.
What happened to secret conversations on Facebook?
The absence of the secret conversations option in Messenger can be attributed to this transition towards E2EE. Originally, secret conversations were an opt-in feature that allowed users to enable E2EE for personal chats. This was particularly relevant during a time when Messenger relied on standard encryption, which, while secure, meant that Meta retained control over the encryption keys.
The original purpose of secret conversations
Secret conversations provided a layer of privacy, allowing users to exchange messages and media—such as images and voice recordings—without the risk of unauthorized access. When activated, only the participants in the chat possessed the keys necessary to decrypt the messages, ensuring that the content remained confidential.
What does Messenger encrypt end-to-end?
As per Meta’s guidelines, default E2EE now applies to one-on-one chats and any media shared within those conversations. This encryption extends to audio and video calls made between private individuals. However, it is important to note that business chats, Marketplace messages, and community chats within Facebook groups continue to utilize standard encryption methods.
How E2EE works on Messenger
The mechanics of E2EE on Messenger mirror those found in other secure messaging platforms. Each message is encrypted into an unreadable format before it leaves the sender’s device, utilizing the Signal Protocol for message encryption and the Labyrinth Protocol for encrypting the messaging history across devices. This ensures that messages remain secure as they traverse from the sender’s device to Meta’s servers and ultimately to the recipient’s device, where they can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.
How to tell if your chats use E2EE
To verify whether your chat is protected by E2EE, follow these straightforward steps:
- Open the chat you wish to check and tap on the user’s name or the i icon located in the top-right corner.
- Look for the message indicating “End-to-end encrypted” beneath the user’s profile image.
How to manage E2EE chats in Messenger
Messenger provides users with the ability to manage their E2EE conversations, including how they are stored and verified. As these features are being gradually rolled out, some options may not yet be visible in every version of the app.
To access the E2EE settings in Messenger:
- Select Menu and navigate to Settings.
- Tap on Privacy & safety, then choose End-to-end encrypted chats.
- Here, you will find various options, including Message storage, Security alerts, and Verify key in chats.
Message storage
This feature automatically creates encrypted backups of your E2EE chats, typically stored in the cloud. This allows for easy restoration of your message history on a new device using a PIN or recovery key. Users can disable this feature by selecting Turn off automatic uploads, which will then store backups locally on the device.
Security alerts
Security alerts notify users when a new device logs into their account or when encryption keys change. Such changes may occur for various reasons, including the addition of a new device or the reinstallation of Messenger. The “View all logins” section provides a comprehensive list of devices that can send and receive E2EE messages, allowing users to monitor their account activity closely.
Verify keys in chat
The Verify keys in chat feature enables users to compare encryption keys directly within the chat. By toggling this option on, users can long-press on a message to view the key associated with that device. If the keys match between devices, it confirms that the conversation is indeed end-to-end encrypted.
Can you still send disappearing messages?
Disappearing messages remain a feature within Messenger, having evolved from their original association with secret conversations. This functionality is currently being expanded, although it may not yet be available to all users. To send a disappearing message:
- Open Messenger, select the desired chat, and tap the i button or the contact’s name at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and select Disappearing messages.
- Choose a time duration for the messages to disappear after being read.
Messenger vs. other encrypted apps
Messenger vs. WhatsApp and Signal
All three applications—Messenger, WhatsApp, and Signal—support E2EE for chat messages, media sharing, and voice and video calls. However, the key distinction lies in the types of conversations that benefit from this encryption. Messenger currently applies E2EE solely to personal, one-on-one chats, while WhatsApp and Signal extend this protection to all chat types, including group conversations.
Messenger vs. Telegram
Both Messenger and Telegram offer E2EE for specific types of conversations. On Telegram, users must manually activate secret chats to enable E2EE, whereas standard chats utilize client-server encryption. In contrast, Messenger has made E2EE the default for personal, one-on-one interactions.
Is Facebook Messenger end-to-end encrypted now?
Facebook Messenger is rolling out default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on personal messages and calls. E2EE helps protect message contents so that only the people in the conversation can read them.
Why don’t I see encryption in my Messenger chat?
There are a few reasons you may not see encryption in your Messenger chat, like if you’re still using an old, outdated version of the app. Updating to the latest version or doing a fresh install of Messenger can help make sure you’ve got the latest features. However, the feature is still in rollout phase, so it may not be available on all accounts or devices. It’s worth noting, too, that encryption is not used for certain types of chats, like Marketplace, business, group, or Community chats.
Can Facebook read my Messenger messages?
Facebook can’t read the contents of messages that are protected with end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Personal chats are being transitioned to E2EE by default, but encryption availability can vary by chat type and rollout status. E2EE does not currently apply to all conversations, including group, business, Marketplace, and community messages.
Are Messenger voice and video calls also encrypted?
Yes, all personal voice and video calls made on Messenger are end-to-end encrypted, just like text-based messages.
Can police or government access encrypted Messenger chats?
Police or government agencies can’t read the contents of Messenger chats that are protected by end-to-end encryption (E2EE). However, messages may be accessible if authorities gain lawful access to a user’s unlocked device or account, since E2EE doesn’t protect messages from someone who already has access to the device itself.
What happened to secret conversations on Messenger?
The secret conversations feature was gradually phased out as Meta began using end-to-end encryption (E2EE) as standard for personal messages. Since E2EE is becoming the default for eligible chats, there is less need for a separate option.
