Facebook Delays Plans to Use End-to-End Encryption As Default for Messenger and Instagram Messages Until at Least 2023

[MacRumors]

Facebook, now rebranded to "Meta," is delaying plans to use end-to-end encryption for Messenger and Instagram messages until at least 2023, a year later than the previous deadline promised by the social media behemoth.

Writing in The Telegraph, Meta's head of global safety, Antigone Davis, said that the company is pushing back its deadline to roll out end-to-end encryption as the default for billions of Messenger and Instagram users until "sometime in 2023." Meta claims this delay is meant to give it extra time to coordinate with experts in the field of combating online abuse while also protecting user privacy.

We're taking our time to get this right and we don't plan to finish the global rollout of end-to-end encryption by default across all our messaging services until sometime in 2023. As a company that connects billions of people around the world and has built industry-leading technology, we're determined to protect people's private communications and keep people safe online.

Facebook had previously set in motion a plan to fully encrypt all messages in Messenger and Instagram in 2022, but following that announcement, government officials, institutions, and others raised concerns. Concerns amount to whether end-to-end encryption will make it harder for law enforcement to protect public and child safety.

Davis said that a balance can be and must be accomplished. "We believe people shouldn't have to choose between privacy and safety," Davis wrote, adding that Meta is "engaging with privacy and safety experts, civil society and governments to make sure we get this right."

Instagram, owned by Meta, has introduced features and changes to improve the platform for younger users, including automatically defaulting the accounts of users under the age of 18 to private. Meta is also relying on people's goodwill to combat possible abuse on its platform.

Third, we're actively encouraging people to report harmful messages to us and will prompt them to do so when we think there could be a problem. Once they do, we can view the reported message, investigate the content, offer support where appropriate, and take action where necessary. Where we find abuse, we make referrals to the authorities and respond swiftly to valid requests for data to support law enforcement investigations – as we always will.

Davis is defended the need for end-to-end encryption, citing recent cases with data requests from law enforcement showing that the majority of user information requested is non-encrypted in the first place. "While no systems are perfect, this shows that we can continue to stop criminals and support law enforcement," Davis wrote.

Meta already utilizes end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp, but that privilege is not extended by default to all Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM users. In August, Instagram said it would be testing "opt-in" end-to-end encryption chats for a limited number of adult users in certain countries. Signal, Telegram, and iMessage are all end-to-end encrypted with no need to "opt-in" to the most secure form of mobile communication.

Article Link: Facebook Delays Plans to Use End-to-End Encryption As Default for Messenger and Instagram Messages Until at Least 2023

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

That’s fine. I don’t think anyone cares or anyone is looking forward to this.

Facebook and Privacy don’t go together. Clueless, especially with that Meta, Beta name.

 

[aloyouis]

End to end encryption but THEY will still be reading them and lifting everything they want from the messages?

They will keep other from stealing what they steal?

So they are simply protecting their product?

LOL. FB sucks.

 

[macsorcery]

encryption and privacy are not even in the vocabulary of people who use these apps.

 

[bsamcash]

But how am I supposed to MiM at Starbucks!

 

[GustavPicora]

"...We're taking our time to get this right..." meaning, to add end-2-end encryption while still being able to sneak around when they want. Thats their definition of "right".

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Facebook has a bridge to sell you. I encrypt Facebook by not using Facebook.

 

[AngerDanger]

But how am I supposed to MiM at Starbucks!

By getting a job at Meta.

 

[Force332]

"We believe people shouldn't have to choose between privacy and safety,"

Mmhmm. Sure.

 

[xxray]

So basically they’re trying to figure out a way to break E2EE first and do some sort of CSAM/crime scanning like Apple. Defeats the whole purpose.

Someone’s private messages are no one’s business but those participating in the conversation.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

Mmhmm. Sure.

That's a bold lie. ? how are they not feeling guilty saying that?

 

[Dreamweaver12]

"...We're taking our time to get this right..." meaning, to add end-2-end encryption while still being able to sneak around when they want. Thats their definition of "right".

Spot on. Came here just to post that, but you got it first.

 

[PikachuEXE]

To stop a habit, an easier way is to delay definitely
And to prevent fulfilling a promise...

 

[macintoshmac]

Not surprised at all.

 

[roar08]

Translation: we need to make sure all the backdoors are properly installed.

 

[bobtem]

If you work at FB, is it ok to talk about your job while at dinner party? There is such universal hate for FB, most of if justified, yet people work there.

I think if they got somebody smart to replace Uckerburg, the hate factor would go way down even if the practices remained the same. He is just so easy to not like.

 

[JM]

“meant to give it extra time to coordinate with experts in the field of combating online abuse while also protecting user privacy”

I read that as: “we still want to to be able to protect people from harm by monitoring for abuse of all forms, and don’t know how to accomplish that while respecting the privacy of users”

Apple respects the privacy of users by encrypting messages and iCloud, but doesn’t know how to also monitor for CSAM concerns and abuse of all kinds.

Maybe I’m just giving Facebook to much credit here, but it seems like they’re trying to find solution to abuse issues through messaging and Facebook.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

That’s cool, I’ve delayed plans to use facebook & instagram to never.

 

[toobravetosave]

Maybe they'll use apple's privacy preserving CSAM systems

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

Maybe they'll use apple's privacy preserving CSAM systems

Sounds like they are waiting for Apple to implement it first.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Secret governments pressure is forcing Facebook Companies in this area just as it has forced Apple to weaken and delay full encryption rollouts and ultimately spy on its users.

Dangerous trend.

 

[roar08]

Secret governments pressure is forcing Facebook Companies in this area just as it has forced Apple to weaken and delay full encryption rollouts and ultimately spy on its users.

Dangerous trend.

I don't think governments care about being secret anymore.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I encrypt Facebook by not using Facebook.

I leverage the exact same tactic.

 

[erikkfi]

That’s fine. I don’t think anyone cares or anyone is looking forward to this.

I'm as anti-Facebook as anyone but this is a weird take. Facebook and insta have over a billion users - that's a billion people who care and would be looking forward to it if they know about it.

 

[calstanford]

Same useless company that is "taking it's time" to scale instagram up to iPad size and to realise an iPad whatsapp app. Ten years and counting.