In a very definitive case of ‘not something that happens very often’, Instagram has decided to remove end-to-end encryption (E2EE). It wasn’t that long ago when Meta-owned properties like WhatsApp and Instagram were bragging about adding E2EE to their chats, but now one of them is headed in exactly the opposite direction.
As you’d expect in trying to avoid a ton of online fuss regarding this matter, Instagram hasn’t announced this in a press release or blog post. Instead, it’s quietly updated its help section to read that E2EE will no longer be supported after May 8.
So, the service’s wording says on the same page, “if you have chats that are impacted by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages you may want to keep”.
To recap, E2EE ensures “only you and the people you’re communicating with can see or listen to what is sent, and no one else, not even Meta, can do so” – this is according to Instagram’s wording, not ours.
So, with that in mind, please take into account the fact that from May 9, Meta will be able to see and listen to what you send or receive on Instagram. And so will the governments that ask it for your data.