Facebook extends end-to-end encryption in Messenger to millions of users

Facebook will provide end-to-end encryption for more users of the Messenger chat service in the coming months. Parent company Meta is expanding encryption testing to millions of users and adding new features for those conversations.

In the coming months, “millions of users around the world” will be transferred, writes meta. The social network has already enabled end-to-end encryption for a limited number of Messenger users, but that test group is still limited. In the future, Facebook wants to fully encrypt Messenger, but before that it wants more testing. It is not known how many users will be transferred in the coming period. According to Meta, the selection process is completely random and says nothing about it. Meta says the system is built to keep the infrastructure running smoothly.

Users who are transferred will see a notification, similar to how it goes on WhatsApp. This is done in individual chat conversations, where it will be stated at the top that conversations will be encrypted from now on.

New features are also being added to encrypted chats. Previously it was only possible to chat, but soon it will also be possible to set backgrounds, send your own emojis and stickers and set group profile pictures. Users can also use active statuses and link previews are added. Finally, it will also be possible to use the Bubbles in end-to-end encrypted conversations. Those are the overlays of chat bubbles that users in Android can use over other apps to keep chatting.