Instagram to End DM Encryption After May 2026

Meta announced plans to discontinue end-to-end encryption for direct messages on Instagram after May 8, 2026, removing a feature that allowed users in certain regions to opt in for heightened privacy in private chats.

The change, detailed in an update to Instagram's Help Center, affects encrypted conversations that users previously initiated on a per-chat basis. Unlike WhatsApp, where end-to-end encryption is enabled by default for all messages, the option on Instagram was never automatic and required manual activation. Meta confirmed the decision through a spokesperson, stating that very few users opted in to the feature, prompting its removal. Users with impacted chats will receive in-app instructions to download messages and media before the deadline. Those using older versions of the app may need to update it first to access the export option.

Instagram introduced end-to-end encrypted messaging in December 2023 as part of broader efforts to enhance privacy across Meta's platforms. The feature built on earlier testing that began in 2021, aligning with then-CEO Mark Zuckerberg's vision for more secure social networking. It became available to all adult users in specific...