Social media giant Meta has decided to discontinue end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on Instagram globally.
elchi reports that with this change, effective May 8, 2026, Instagram users will no longer be able to send their messages using “ultra-secure” methods. This move is considered a major step back from Meta’s long-standing “privacy is the future” vision.
Your messages may now be readable
The removal of end-to-end encryption marks a fundamental change in the security of Instagram messages.
The main changes you will experience in your message boxes in the new era are as follows:
Access permission: Meta will now be able to access text, images, videos, and voice notes in direct messages (DM).
Standard encryption: Instagram has switched to a “standard encryption” system, already used by services like Gmail. In this system, the service provider can view message content when there is a legal obligation or necessity.
Data download: Users with encrypted chats are offered the option to download their data to avoid losing media and messages in those chats.
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