The technology makes it more difficult for hackers to infiltrate conversations. Almost all chat applications, including Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp, use end-to-end encryption. Facebook recently added end-to-end encryption to its Messenger platform. Keep reading to find out how to enable it.
Here’s the backstory
Billions of people have a Facebook profile, and many take advantage of its Messenger tool. It allows for private messages and phone calls between users and groups. Earlier this year, Facebook rolled out end-to-end encryption for Messenger. Last year, the company tested end-to-end encryption for group chats, including voice and video calls. But only a tiny portion of users was included. Now, end-to-end encryption is available for everyone. It isn’t activated by default, though, as it rolls out on an opt-in basis. That means you must manually enable it if you want to make sure your chats are secure.
How to enable end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger
With end-to-end encryption, no one can intercept, read, or alter a message from one end to the other. Here’s how to enable it in Messenger:
Open the Messenger app.Make sure the Chat tab on the bottom of your screen is selected.Tap the new message icon in the upper right. (NOTE: It looks like a pen and pad of paper.)Select the contact you want to chat with. Remember, Facebook doesn’t allow end-to-end encrypted chats with businesses, professional accounts like those for public figures, Instagram accounts from your Messenger app, or people you’ve never messaged. +
How to start an end-to-end encrypted call:
Open the Messenger app.From Chats, open the end-to-end encrypted chat with the person you want to call.Tap the phone icon to start an audio call or the video icon to start a video call.
Keep in mind that everyone in your end-to-end encrypted chat needs to have downloaded the latest version of the Messenger app to be able to make an end-to-end encrypted call.
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