Meta Expands Test of End-to-End Encryption Features in Messenger

Meta is testing additional end-to-end encryption (E2EE) features in Facebook Messenger—and not just because it has been roundly criticized for not enabling these protections by default.

“We’re working hard to protect your personal messages and calls with end-to-end encryption by default on Messenger and Instagram,” Meta says(Opens in a new window). “Today, we’re announcing our plans to test a new secure storage feature for backups of your end-to-end encrypted chats on Messenger, and more updates and tests to deliver the best experience on Messenger and Instagram.”

The marquee change is the introduction of encrypted backups. Messenger currently stores E2EE messages on a single device; there is no way to access them on another device. (At least in theory.) This can be inconvenient for people who lose their primary device, but if the company had backed up the messages without encrypting them, Messenger users would be at risk.

That isn’t a theoretical problem(Opens in a new window). Apple uses E2EE for iMessage, but many people choose to back up their message histories via iCloud. That backup isn’t encrypted, so even though the messages rely on E2EE in transit, someone can access those messages via iCloud. Meta avoids that problem with Messenger by restricting E2EE messages to a single device.

Now the company is testing what it calls Secure Storage. This encrypted backup will allow people to recover their messages using the method of their choice—supplying a PIN or entering a generated code—if they lose access to their device. Meta says it will also let Messenger users back up their E2EE messages to “third-party cloud services,” if they prefer.

“For example, for iOS devices you can use iCloud to store a secret key that allows access to your backups,” Meta says. “While this method of protecting your key is secure, it is not protected by Messenger’s end-to-end encryption.” (Which is effectively the company’s way of saying that it’s not responsible if otherwise-secure Messenger chats are accessed via iCloud.)

Meta will start testing Secure Storage on Android and iOS this week. The feature isn’t available via Messenger’s website, desktop apps, or for “chats that aren’t end-to-end encrypted,” though.

The company says it will also “begin testing the ability to unsend messages, reply to Facebook Stories, and offer other ways to access your end-to-end encrypted messages and calls”; test an extension dubbed Code Verify that “automatically verifies the authenticity of the code” on Messenger’s website; and make E2EE messages available to more Instagram users.

But perhaps the most important test will be making E2EE the default for some Messenger users rather than requiring people to enable these protections on a chat-by-chat basis. Meta says:

“This week, we’ll begin testing default end-to-end encrypted chats between some people. If you’re in the test group, some of your most frequent chats may be automatically end-to-end encrypted, which means you won’t have to opt in to the feature. You’ll still have access to your message history, but any new messages or calls with that person will be end-to-end encrypted. You can still report messages(Opens in a new window) to us if you think they violate our policies, and we’ll review them and take action as necessary.”

Making the most secure option the default is the best way to encourage people to protect themselves. This has become even more important in a post-Roe country where law enforcement can—and have—use message histories to build cases against people who’ve had or have sought abortions. (Meta tells Wired(Opens in a new window) this rollout wasn’t prompted by those concerns.)

Meta says it “will continue to provide updates as we make progress toward the global rollout of default end-to-end encryption for personal messages and calls in 2023.”