Meta Testing End-To-End Encryption For Messenger And Instagram
Meta has begun testing end-to-end encryption for messages and calls over Messenger and Instagram. The social media giant is also testing secure storage to back up messages in case users lose their phone or want to restore old messages on their new device without accessing messages.
“Today, we’re announcing our plans to test a new secure storage feature for backups of your end-to-end encrypted chats on Messenger, and more updates and tests to deliver the best experience on Messenger and Instagram,” Meta said in its statement.
Meta will be testing secure storage to protect the history end-to-end encrypted conversations on Messenger. Users will also have multiple options for restoring their messages if they choose to do so.
The company says that users will have multiple options for restoring their messages by either creating a PIN or generating a code. Additionally, users will be able to restore their Messenger conversations via third-party cloud services. “For example, for iOS devices you can use iCloud to store a secret key that allows access to your backups. While this method of protecting your key is secure, it is not protected by Messenger’s end-to-end encryption,” explained Meta on its blog.
Meta will be testing secure storage this week on Android and iOS. This feature will not be available on www.messenger.com, Messenger for desktop or chats that aren’t end-to-end encrypted.
Meta has also said that it would release more updates over the next few weeks on the end-to-end encryption front, including Expanding features and surfaces, Code Verify, Testing end-to-end encryption of chats, Removal of vanish mode on Messenger, and Testing expanded chat features on Instagram.
