Facebook Messenger Could Soon Offer End-to-End Encryption
Facebook Messenger could soon become a lot more secure. According to The Guardian, the social networking giant is planning on rolling out end-to-end encryption to the popular communication app.
An opt-in feature
Here’s more from the report:
In the coming months, according to three people close to the project, the social media company plans to release an optional encrypted communications mode for its Messenger app, which is used by more than 900 million people.
The system will let users deploy so-called end-to-end encryption meant to block both authorities and Facebook from reading users’ texts. Such technology has become more widespread in the post-Edward Snowden era as the technology industry tries to assuage fears about prying eyes in both the government and Silicon Valley headquarters.
End-to-encryption is also used by Apple’s iMessage and was recently rolled out to WhatsApp Messenger and Viber.
There is one caveat with Facebook’s plans, though. The feature will be opt-in, meaning users will have to activate end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp Messenger and Viber brought the technology to all users.
Facebook is making the end-to-end encryption opt-in because it could possibly interfere with some of the chatbot technology built into the app.
Messenger is designed for the iPhone/iPod touch and all iPad models. It can be downloaded now on the App Store for free.
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