Meta drops support for end-to-end encryption in Instagram private messages

Meta has decided to discontinue support for end-to-end encryption in private messages on Instagram. The feature will stop working after May 8, 2026.

Instagram encryption to be disabled in May

End-to-end encryption in private messages on Instagram has never been available to all users.

Unlike WhatsApp, where message protection is enabled by default, this feature only worked in select regions on Instagram. In addition, users had to manually enable encryption for each chat.

After May 8, 2026, the feature will no longer be supported, and encrypted chats in Instagram Direct will no longer be available.

The reason is the low popularity of the feature

Meta explained the abandonment of the technology by the fact that a small number of people used it. According to a company representative, only a limited number of users turned on the encrypted message mode.

For those who value end-to-end encryption, the company recommends using WhatsApp, where such protection is applied by default.

At the same time, Meta did not specify further plans for encryption in Facebook Messenger. The company previously stated that it was gradually transferring private messages in this service to end-to-end encryption by default.

Meta’s approach to privacy has changed

End-to-end encryption in WhatsApp was introduced back in 2016. In 2019, the head of the company Mark Zuckerberg stated that privacy should become a key principle of work.

However, the technology has been regularly criticized by law enforcement and child protection organizations, who say it makes it harder to combat online crime.

According to Zuckerberg, the need to balance user privacy with security concerns has long influenced the implementation of end-to-end encryption in the company’s services.