In a major development for user privacy, Meta announced on Thursday that it is rolling out end-to-end encryption for calls and messages across its Facebook and Messenger platforms. This means that even Meta itself will not be able to decipher people's messages, ensuring that only the sender and recipient have access to the content. Loredana Crisan, the head of Messenger, stated that encrypted chats, which were first introduced as an optional feature in Messenger in 2016, will now become the standard for all users going forward. Crisan emphasized the extensive effort taken by Meta's team of engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts, and product managers to rebuild Messenger features from scratch to ensure the highest level of security.

The move towards end-to-end encryption was initially promised by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg back in 2019, following a series of high-profile scandals that exposed the vulnerability of user data on Facebook, most notably the Cambridge Analytica incident. The company's decision to implement this privacy feature comes after Nebraska investigators reviewed private Facebook messages during an investigation into an abortion case that violated a state ban. By introducing this encryption, Meta aims to enhance user safety by making it more difficult for hackers, fraudsters, and criminals to access sensitive information.

However, the adoption of end-to-end encryption has also raised concerns among privacy advocates, law enforcement agencies, and even Meta itself. Critics argue that this feature could be exploited by users to engage in illegal activities, such as the sexual exploitation of children, human trafficking, and the spread of hate speech. Susie Hargreaves, the CEO of the Internet Watch Foundation, questioned how Meta's leadership would justify prioritizing privacy over preventing the spread of illegal and harmful content. Despite these concerns, Meta has a strong track record in detecting and preventing the dissemination of child sexual abuse material before it appears on its platforms, and Hargreaves urged the company to continue this vital protection.

While Meta's WhatsApp platform already encrypts messages, the expansion of this feature to Facebook and Messenger highlights the company's commitment to user privacy. The new end-to-end encryption feature will be available immediately, but it will take some time for it to be rolled out to all users. This move aligns Meta's platforms with other popular messaging apps like Signal and Telegram, which have long relied on end-to-end encryption as a standard feature.

The decision to implement default end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger has faced criticism from children's charities and the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK. The NSPCC accused Meta of turning a blind eye to crimes against children, alleging that the technology makes it easier for abusers to exploit young victims and share illegal images with other offenders. Sir Peter Wanless, the CEO of the NSPCC, expressed his concern over the company's prioritization of user privacy over child safety online. James Babbage of the NCA echoed these concerns, warning that the problem of online child abuse would likely worsen with the adoption of end-to-end encryption.

Despite the backlash, Meta has maintained its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies to report crimes and protect users. The company claims to have robust safety measures in place to prevent and detect abuse while still ensuring user security. This assurance from Meta comes at a time when the UK government's Online Safety Bill is being debated in Parliament, with end-to-end encryption being a contentious issue. The bill proposes empowering regulator Ofcom to compel platforms to scan messages for abusive or dangerous content. Platforms like WhatsApp and Signal have threatened to withdraw from the UK market if this measure is enforced.

In addition to end-to-end encryption, Messenger's update introduced several other features, including the ability for users to turn off read receipts and edit messages within 15 minutes of sending them. The rollout of this privacy-focused update marks a significant step in Meta's ongoing efforts to protect user data and regain public trust in the wake of past controversies.