Facebook Messenger: Facebook Messenger is getting end-to-end encryption for calls – morningtidings

End-to-end encryption has arrived for voice and video calls both for Facebook, in a move to probably instill in users the sense of a platform secure from snoopers. Since the Facebook Messenger’s ‘Secret Conversation’ option that allows users to text someone already has end-to-end encryption for a long time, you may wonder what took Facebook so long to get it to voice and video calls. Was it because of the popularity of WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook later? As per Facebook, Messenger’s popularity has seen an uptick recently, with over 150 million video calls a day, which makes for a solid case for adding end-to-end encryption too, a feature which is claimed to make the one-on-one chats totally secure and prevent any third party from seeing them.
There is some strong competition in the end-to-end encrypted calls feature, especially after the pandemic. There are rivals like Zoom and Signal. Apple’s FaceTime also has it. Since users are already flocking to Messenger, the feature is only set to make some gains for the platform.
Facebook has also updated the expiring messages feature with more options. Now, you have the option to set the timer for disappearing messages from 5 seconds to 24 hours. The company has also said that in the coming weeks, some test features will be added to the encrypted chats.
The social media company is also planning to introduce end-to-end encryption in direct messages on Instagram, with a limited test in some countries first. To use the feature, users would need to have an existing chat or be following each other.