Facebook has added end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to voice and video calls on its Messenger platform, adding an additional layer of security for users using the popular social networking app.
The announcement for the new feature was made by Facebook in a blog post. In case you didn’t know, Messenger already had end-to-end encryption on personal texts sent by users. However, with voice and video call encryption, Facebook reiterated that no one, not even Facebook, will be able to see or listen to what two people communicate about.
According to Facebook, the content of user’s texts and calls are protected from the moment it leaves their device till the moment they reach the recipient and are read by them. It is, however, crucial to note that this protection is currently unavailable on group calls and messages, although it stated that it would test this feature in the near future.
Facebook, in the blogpost also highlighted that it plans to bring this feature to its popular image and video sharing platform, Instagram.
It said in a statement, “We’ll also kick off a limited test with adults in certain countries that lets them opt-in to end-to-end encrypted messages and calls for one-on-one conversations on Instagram.”
Along with added security features, Facebook Messenger has introduced more options to better control disappearing messages. Users will be able to select between a timeframe of five seconds and 24 hours post which the message will permanently vanish from the receiving device.
