Facebook Messenger announced that it is testing end-to-end encrypted backups, while also offering more updates on end-to-end encrypted messages and calls. Here are the changes to the app.
Facebook Messenger is now testing secure storage for backing up messages in case people lose their phones or want to restore their message history on a new supported device. The company’s product manager, Sarah Sue, wrote:
As with end-to-end encrypted chats, secure storage means we won’t be able to access your messages, unless you choose to report them to us.
It says secure storage will be the default way to “protect your end-to-end decrypted chat history on Messenger, and you’ll have multiple options to recover your messages if you choose to do so.”
One of them will be to create a PIN or generate a code – you will also be able to choose to restore conversations via third-party cloud services. For iOS devices, users can use iCloud to store a secret key that allows access to backups.
Over the next few weeks, Facebook Messenger will also run more tests and update to E2E encrypted chats, including:
- Expand features and surfaces: Soon, your deleted messages will be synced across your other devices. Ability to cancel messages and reply to Facebook Stories;
- Verification code: This is an open source web browser extension that automatically validates the code when using the Messenger webpage;
- End-to-end encryption testing for conversations: Messenger will make E2E chats encrypted for some people by default.
Facebook Messenger will also remove Vanish Mode on the platform as it focuses on disappearing messages. Last but not least, the company is testing extended chat features on Instagram. And soon, it will include more people in more countries.
How do you feel about these upcoming changes to Facebook Messenger and Instagram? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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