Facebook Messenger Gets End-To-End Encryption

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Back in July, we reported on Facebook’s intention to apply end-to end encryption on its Messenger app. That day is here.

According to multiple sources, the social network has started rolling out this new feature to all its users during the past few weeks, so it will soon become available to everyone. With almost 1 billion users, this update adds an important milestone to Messenger’s history.

Encrypted conversations on Messenger are named “Secret Conversations”. While all conversations are secure on the platform, Secret Conversations add the extra layer of encryption from a sender’s to a recipient’s device.

To make use of the encryption, all you have to do is tap on the New Message button and select “Secret”.

As expected, the new encryption feature has been developed in collaboration with Open Whisper Systems, using Signal Protocol end-to-end encryption. This is a partnership that started in 2014, and has already helped roll out the same functionality on WhatsApp – Messenger’s “sibling”. WhatsApp started back in April.