Meta ends end-to-end encryption on Instagram

"Instagram is ending its support for end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs, with users being informed that the security measure will no longer be available on IG from May 8. Meta began rolling out encryption for Instagram messages in August 2022, as part of its expanded messaging integration and security push, which would eventually have seen all of Meta's messaging platforms merged into a single back-end."

"While some law enforcement and regulatory groups had long sought to stop Meta from rolling out expanded encryption, due to concerns that it would help to hide criminal activity, up until this year, Meta had been pushing ahead with the plan anyway, which would eventually make E2E encryption the standard across all of its messaging tools."

"Some have speculated that Meta had only been seeking to merge its various messaging tools into a singular back-end as a hedge against an ongoing FTC complaint, in which the regulator had sought to force Meta to divest both Instagram and WhatsApp due to anti-competitive concerns."

Instagram is ending end-to-end encryption support for direct messages starting May 8, with users receiving in-app notifications about the change. Meta introduced encryption for Instagram messages in August 2022 as part of a broader plan to integrate all its messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram) into a unified backend with consistent security standards. Law enforcement and regulatory bodies had opposed this encryption expansion due to concerns about criminal activity concealment. Meta has now abandoned this integration strategy without official explanation. Speculation suggests Meta pursued the merger as a defensive measure against an ongoing FTC antitrust complaint seeking to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp due to anticompetitive acquisition practices.

Read at www.socialmediatoday.com