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End-to-end encryption comes to Facebook Messenger – Here’s how to enable it
End-to-end encryption is an important security tool to protect communications. Tap or click here to find out how to encrypt your emails and text messages.
The technology makes it more difficult for hackers to infiltrate conversations. Almost all chat applications, including Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp, use end-to-end encryption.
Facebook recently added end-to-end encryption to its Messenger platform. Keep reading to find out how to enable it.
Here’s the backstory
Billions of people have a Facebook profile, and many take advantage of its Messenger tool. It allows for private messages and phone calls between users and groups.
Earlier this year, Facebook rolled out end-to-end encryption for Messenger. Last year, the company tested end-to-end encryption for group chats, including voice and video calls. But only a tiny portion of users was included.
Now, end-to-end encryption is available for everyone. It isn’t activated by default, though, as it rolls out on an opt-in basis. That means you must manually enable it if you want to make sure your chats are secure.
How to enable end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger
With end-to-end encryption, no one can intercept, read, or alter a message from one end to the other. Here’s how to enable it in Messenger:
- Open the Messenger app.
- Make sure the Chat tab on the bottom of your screen is selected.
- Tap the new message icon in the upper right. (NOTE: It looks like a pen and pad of paper.)
- Select the contact you want to chat with. Remember, Facebook doesn’t allow end-to-end encrypted chats with businesses, professional accounts like those for public figures, Instagram accounts from your Messenger app, or people you’ve never messaged. +
How to start an end-to-end encrypted call:
- Open the Messenger app.
- From Chats, open the end-to-end encrypted chat with the person you want to call.
- Tap the phone icon to start an audio call or the video icon to start a video call.
Keep in mind that everyone in your end-to-end encrypted chat needs to have downloaded the latest version of the Messenger app to be able to make an end-to-end encrypted call.
Keep reading
12 smart tricks for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Google Chat
Facebook Messenger: 5 things you didn’t know you could do
Tags: communications, encryption, end-to-end encryption, Facebook, Google, hackers, Messenger, security, signal, Telegram, WhatsApp
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