Back to Messenger we go.
By Chase DiBenedetto on May 8, 2026
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, announced it would retire end-to-end encryption for direct messages in March. The privacy feature previously allowed messages to be secure from interception between users. Without it, messages will have standard encryption, meaning service providers could access them. Meta initially planned to make end-to-end encryption the default across platforms but reversed the decision due to industry pressure.
Instagram quietly announced the retirement of this feature in March, citing low usage as the reason. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about tech companies providing user communications to law enforcement and using them in AI training. Meta stated it doesn’t use private messages for AI training. Some online safety groups support the move for better platform moderation, particularly against child exploitation materials and networks.
If you prefer using end-to-end encryption, Meta recommends switching to WhatsApp or the standalone Messenger app. The company has informed users with the setting enabled to download their chat histories and media before it’s disabled. An app update might be required to archive encrypted chats.