Messenger intensifies tests of default end-to-end encryption • TechCrunch

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Meta announced today that it has begun gradually expanding the default end-to-end encryption tests for Messenger. The messaging service is also bringing some of its standard features to end-to-end encrypted chats, including chat themes, custom chat emojis and reactions, group profile photos, link previews, and active status.

In the coming months, millions of users around the world will continue to see some of their chats gradually updated with end-to-end encryption. Messenger will notify people in these individual chat threads as they get updated. Meta says the process in which it picks and updates individual threads is random so it doesn’t negatively impact the company’s infrastructure and users’ chat experience.

Image credits: Meta

“We know people want a space to connect, and they want to know those conversations are private, safe, and secure,” Meta said in a blog post. “That’s why we took the time to build a talented team of engineers, cryptographers, designers, and policy experts, all committed to implementing default end-to-end encryption on Messenger. Building a secure and resilient end-to-end encrypted service for the billions of messages that are sent on Messenger every day requires thorough testing.”

Meta first tested end-to-end encryption features for Messenger in 2016 for secret conversations. Last January, the company introduced opt-in end-to-end encryption for group chats and calls for Messenger. But unlike Metas, the other popular WhatsApp chat app, end-to-end encryption isn’t yet enabled by default for all Messenger conversations, but that will soon change when the company starts rolling out end-to-end encryption. default to end.

As for Instagram, the popular app Meta started testing end-to-end encrypted messages via an opt-in setting in 2021. Last February, the social media app introduced the feature for all users in Ukraine and Russia.

Meta has previously said it plans to roll out default end-to-end encryption protection to all of its apps in 2023. The company hasn’t provided a recent update on this timeline, but says it will provide updates as it continues to bring end- end-to-end encryption in Messenger.

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