Summary
Meta plans to stop supporting end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram by May 2026. Users will receive notifications to help them save their data before this change takes effect. Encrypted messaging will still be available on WhatsApp, another platform owned by Meta.
Key Facts
- Meta will end support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on Instagram by May 8, 2026.
- End-to-end encryption prevents third parties, including Meta, from accessing user messages.
- Users will receive in-app notifications with instructions on preserving their encrypted data.
- Meta suggests users switch to WhatsApp for encrypted messaging.
- End-to-end encryption was first introduced on Instagram in 2023.
- Users need to download their data before encryption support ends in 2026.
- The decision is partly due to low user adoption of the encryption feature on Instagram.
