End-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger

Meta has announced that end-to-end encryption will become the default configuration in conversations on Facebook and Messenger, thus ensuring that only the sender and recipient are able to read the messages exchanged. This security level, which also prevents Meta from accessing the contents of conversations, was introduced in 2016 as an option, but will now be the default standard.

The path to enhanced privacy

Loredana Crisan, head of Messenger, highlighted in her blog post how the path to achieving this expansion of privacy was long and careful, involving a multidisciplinary team made up of engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts and product managers , who worked to rebuild Messenger's functionality from the ground up.

Security promises and controversies

The decision to extend end-to-end encryption follows a pledge made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2019, after the company was rocked by privacy scandals such as Cambridge Analytica. The security enhancement, with existing encryption features on WhatsApp, aims to protect users from cyber attacks, scams and criminal activity.

Ethical concerns and challenges

Despite its security benefits, end-to-end encryption raises concerns in some spheres, such as law enforcement, where there are concerns about its potential use in hiding illegal activities including child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. humans. The CEO of the Internet Watch Foundation, Susie Hargreaves, draws attention to the risks involved and invites Meta not to neglect the protection of the most vulnerable. The new changes will be rolled out gradually to all users.