Foto Matthias Balk / Contributor / picture alliance via Getty Images
According to The Verge, Meta explained this decision by the low popularity of the function among the audience. The representative of the corporation noted that the majority of users did not use additional protection, so the support of the technology has become impractical. Instead, those interested in privacy are offered to switch to WhatsApp, where end-to-end encryption remains the default standard.
The E2EE feature appeared in Instagram relatively recently – in 2023 – and allowed to completely hide the content of correspondence even from the company’s servers. However, its introduction caused serious discussions at the state level. Regulators in various countries have expressed concern that such technologies complicate the fight against illegal content and limit the ability to protect underage users.
Additional pressure on Meta was also exerted by judicial initiatives in the United States. In particular, the authorities of certain states have tried to enforce restrictions on the use of encryption among teenagers, arguing that there is a risk of abuse. In parallel, other countries, including the UK, have discussed measures to ensure access to encrypted data by law enforcement agencies.
Against this background, Instagram’s rejection of E2EE looks like a compromise between the requirements of regulators and the real interest of users. Despite criticism from supporters of digital privacy, the company is betting on a more controlled model of communication within the platform.
