Instagram Ends Encrypted DMs After May 8, Changing What Meta Can Access
Meta is ending support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on Instagram after May 8, removing an optional privacy feature that limited who could access message contents.
The change means Instagram DMs will no longer have the same end-to-end encryption protection for affected chats. Meta has said the feature is being removed because “very few people” used encrypted DMs and that users who still want end-to-end encrypted messaging can use WhatsApp.
Instagram’s help notice says users with affected chats will see instructions on how to download messages or media they want to keep.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 110K+ readers →
The move marks a reversal from Meta’s earlier privacy-focused messaging push. In 2019, Mark Zuckerberg said end-to-end encryption prevents anyone, including Meta, from seeing what people share on its services.
Child-safety groups and law-enforcement officials have argued encryption can make abuse harder to detect, while privacy advocates say removing it weakens user security.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 110K+ readers →