Instagram is discontinuing its end-to-end encrypted messaging feature after May 8th, removing a key privacy protection for users. The decision affects Instagram's encrypted chat functionality that was previously available for select conversations. This move represents a significant reduction in privacy options on the platform and has sparked concern among security-conscious users.
Background
End-to-end encryption ensures that only the communicating users can read the messages, preventing third parties including the service provider from accessing the content. Many messaging platforms have adopted E2EE as a standard privacy feature.
- Source
- Hacker News (RSS)
- Published
- Mar 13, 2026 at 09:03 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10