End-to-End Encryption Now Available To All Facebook Messenger Users
Just like Whatsapp, Facebook finally brought end-to-end encryption to its Messenger app. Initially, ‘Secret Conversations’ rolled out to a limited number of users, but Facebook continued added more and more users in the mix as weeks past.
Regular conversations are not end-to-end encrypted. This has drawn a lot of criticism from Facebook users but Facebook has explained that end-to-end encryption spells the end of a lot of useful features, such as chat bots, inline video playback, GIF sharing, or and money transfers.
ARE YOU NEW TO END-TO-END ENCRYPTION? Then read this…
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. In principle, it prevents potential eavesdroppers – including telecom providers Internet providers, and even the provider of the communication service – from being able to access the cryptographic keys needed todecryptthe conversation.
The systems are designed to defeat any attempts at surveillance and/or tampering because no third parties can decipher the data being communicated or stored. For example, companies that use end-to-end encryption are unable to hand over texts of their customers’ messages to the authorities.
Unlike Apple’s iMessages and FaceTime, which employ end-to-end encryption automatically, you have to actively select the option in Facebook Messenger.
HOW TO START A SECRET CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK..
To start a Secret Conversation, open Facebook Messenger on your Android or iOS device, open an existing conversation, tap the information icon in the upper right corner, then select ‘Secret Conversation’. End-to-end encrypted conversations can also include self-destructive messages, which will automatically themselves once their user-selected timer has expired.
If you’re not seeing the new feature, make sure that Facebook Messenger on your device is running the latest update of the app.
However, there are some limitations.
First is, it obviously only works if both parties have the latest version of the app.
Another is that there is no cross-device support. The encryption is unique to each device, so you can’t start a Secret Conversation on one device and continue it on another. (Apple gets around this issue by sending separate copies of every message to each device, so although each device uses different encryption, the user can switch devices at will.)
A third limitation has been mentioned earlier. What do you think about this latest development? I think it is highly welcome but the limitations should be worked on. We need to have a secret and safer clime online.
Regular conversations are not end-to-end encrypted. This has drawn a lot of criticism from Facebook users but Facebook has explained that end-to-end encryption spells the end of a lot of useful features, such as chat bots, inline video playback, GIF sharing, or and money transfers.
ARE YOU NEW TO END-TO-END ENCRYPTION? Then read this…
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. In principle, it prevents potential eavesdroppers – including telecom providers Internet providers, and even the provider of the communication service – from being able to access the cryptographic keys needed todecryptthe conversation.
The systems are designed to defeat any attempts at surveillance and/or tampering because no third parties can decipher the data being communicated or stored. For example, companies that use end-to-end encryption are unable to hand over texts of their customers’ messages to the authorities.
Unlike Apple’s iMessages and FaceTime, which employ end-to-end encryption automatically, you have to actively select the option in Facebook Messenger.
HOW TO START A SECRET CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK..
To start a Secret Conversation, open Facebook Messenger on your Android or iOS device, open an existing conversation, tap the information icon in the upper right corner, then select ‘Secret Conversation’. End-to-end encrypted conversations can also include self-destructive messages, which will automatically themselves once their user-selected timer has expired.
If you’re not seeing the new feature, make sure that Facebook Messenger on your device is running the latest update of the app.
However, there are some limitations.
First is, it obviously only works if both parties have the latest version of the app.
Another is that there is no cross-device support. The encryption is unique to each device, so you can’t start a Secret Conversation on one device and continue it on another. (Apple gets around this issue by sending separate copies of every message to each device, so although each device uses different encryption, the user can switch devices at will.)
A third limitation has been mentioned earlier. What do you think about this latest development? I think it is highly welcome but the limitations should be worked on. We need to have a secret and safer clime online.
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