Meta to Remove Encryption from Instagram DMs

Meta has announced that end-to-end encryption in Instagram DMs will be discontinued after May 8, 2026. The decision is due to low usage of the feature by users.

Unlike WhatsApp, where encryption is enabled by default, on Instagram it was optional and limited to specific regions. Meta stated that users who want encrypted communication can use WhatsApp.

This change raises privacy concerns as conversations will revert to the standard protocol, allowing Meta to access message content if required.

Meta continues to enable encryption as the default setting in Messenger.