Facebook Messenger gets default end-to-end encryption
The latest update to Facebook Messenger (aka Messenger), announced by Loredana Crisan (a Vice President at Meta), is quite monumental from a digital privacy perspective. You see, Meta has shifted to default end-to-end encryption for all personal chats and calls on Messenger, ensuring that communications are secure from sender to receiver, with no possibility of interception, even by Meta itself.
This enhancement goes beyond just encryption. Users can now edit messages up to 15 minutes after sending, offering flexibility in conversations. The update also introduces an improved disappearing messages feature, now lasting 24 hours, with a clearer interface to indicate when it is active.
Meta launches new Privacy Center, leaving Facebook users the unenviable task of learning about privacy and security
TCFKAF (the company formerly known as Facebook), Meta, has launched Privacy Center, a new way for users to "learn more about our approach to privacy across our apps and technologies". Across five modules -- Security, Sharing, Collection, Use and Ads -- Meta gives users information about privacy across its services.
It also provides links to its endless and scattered collection of tools, settings and options for taking control of privacy and security. The new hub has already come in for criticism, however, as it places onus the burden of responsibility on users rather than hand-holding then through the process of locking down privacy.
End-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger is a long way away
As instant messaging platform have become such a common means of communication, users have become increasingly demanding. Of course, this means that people want an ever-growing list of features and tools to play with, but also that security and privacy have become priorities.
Neither "security" nor "privacy" are words that one would immediately associate with Facebook, but the company is keen to change this. Having held a workshop about the hopes and expections users have about private messaging platform, the company has presented its finding. And although it has noted a demand for end-to-end encryption, it's not something that is going to be coming to Messenger this year.