Facebook brings end-to-end encryption to Messenger, an opt-in feature

Well, it’s better late than never. After endless delaying and testing, Facebook has finally introduced end-to-end encryption into its Messenger app.

The security feature dubbed ‘Secret Conversations’ that was being tested in beta for a couple of months has been completely rolled out and introduced in the latest version of the app on Android and iOS, as per the company’s announcement.

Basically, the encryption mode is an opt-in feature and not a default setting which allows users to encrypt their messages so that no one can read them except the two people on either end of a conversation—not even Facebook or law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

Though the new feature doesn’t get a mention on the updates note, once you download the new version, you can see the option to tap "secret" in the top right corner of the "new message" screen and both the participants in the conversation need the latest edition of the app to enable the encryption.

There is also an added option of setting a self-destruct timer for your messages- choosing from five seconds to a day.

This end-to-end encryption is currently available only for personal chats and functionality like sending GIFS and videos is still unavailable.

With privacy becoming a raging concern across the globe, more and more messaging platforms are introducing an end to end encryption to keep your chats safe from prying eyes. Six months back WhatsApp introduced this security feature to its billion-plus users and now Facebook has introduced it for its Messenger platform also.

However, because the feature doesn’t get listed on update notification, probably many users will potentially remain ignorant of this new offering.