End-to-End Encrypted Chats and Calls Now Available to Messenger users

Messenger has announced the end-to-end encryption for chats and calls. Messenger added the end-to-end encryption in 2016 when it was still called Facebook Messenger. The feature is fully out to everyone with toggles to encrypt text messages as well as group chats and calls.

The company has also discussed switching to E2EE as a default, but it can be delayed until next year due to the belief of regulators that this would harm public safety. The users can opt for the option in two different ways into the secure chats. It could be done either by vanish mode or by the original version that was introduced in 2016 as Secret Conversation. 

The vanish mode can be accessed by swiping up on an existing chat to enter one where messages automatically disappear once the window is closed.

Users can turn that on by toggling the lock icon when they start a new chat. The company will have a full rollout of the feature as Messenger has some new features to enable as well. The end-to-end encryption will also allow users to use GIFs, stickers, reactions, and long-press to reply or forward messages.