Facebook Messenger is getting end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls

Facebook Messenger is one of the leading messaging platforms. Ever since its initial launch, it has become one of the must-have applications for users worldwide. The platform has come far from what it was thanks to the addition of numerous features.

The Facebook-owned messaging platform is introducing end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls. In a blog post, the tech giant stated that the update will be implemented today, along with new restrictions for its disappearing messages. Some users may also notice new encryption-related test features.

End-to-End Encryption

End-to-end encryption for text messages was enabled in Facebook Messenger in 2016 when the company launched a “private chat” option to the app. That mode now includes the ability to make phone calls. Messenger now receives more than 150 million video calls every day, according to Facebook, which claims the service is being added as interest in voice and video chats develops.

WhatsApp, the Facebook messaging app, already has end-to-end encryption, which means that only the sender and receiver can access the encrypted data. Other video calling apps, such as Zoom, Signal, and Apple’s FaceTime, do the same. End-to-end encryption is described by Facebook as “becoming the industry standard” across messaging systems. Previous speculations stated that Facebook would launch a single, end-to-end encrypted communications system across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, but this has yet to materialize.

A tiny upgrade is coming to text chats. If you’re deleting a message, you’ll have more options for when it expires, ranging from five seconds to 24 hours.

Summing Up

The aforementioned changes will be visible to everyone, Facebook is testing other features in a limited way. End-to-end encrypted group chats and calls between “friends and relatives who already have an existing chat thread or are already linked” will be available to some users. The updates will make SMS Share much easier. Others will be able to use Facebook’s non- End-to-end encryption controls over who can contact them on Messenger. Finally, if you use Instagram, a “limited test” will let you opt-in to End-to-end encryption for direct messaging on that app.