Ever since WhatsApp introduced message encryption option for the chat messages, Facebook messenger’s encryption for the message was always on the cards. Today, Facebook has introduced end-to-end message encryption feature for limited test group. The primary reason to do so is to make the chatting more trustworthy and hence Facebook is aiming to become primary messenger among the users worldwide.
Facebook app is currently used by approx. 900 million people worldwide and number of users are increasing. Competing with another in-house messenger app, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger is looking forward to change the mindset of the users. With the encryption service on, cyber-criminals, telecoms, governments and even Facebook itself cannot read the conversations!
The another noticeable inclusion is the “timer”. Now all the messages will come with the expiration date. Users can set the expiration date which ultimately will destroy the messages and no one will be able to read those messages again! (that’s interesting! Users who are scared of their messages not to show to anybody else would love this feature for sure). At present, Secret conversation mode will only be available on iOS and Android, not in Messenger.com, Facebook chat, or the desktop Messenger app.
The end-to-end encryption will remain optional. The normal Facebook Messenger app will remain unchanged and you can still access your chat history on any device when you are logged into Facebook. If you will click on the option called “Secret Conversation” by clicking on your friend’s name before starting the chat, you will be able to chat secretly. Facebook has launched the guidelines by publishing a whitepaper which you can access from here.
How a user can be benefited?
Now users will have another option available to use other than WhatsApp as a primary messenger. As WhatsApp was providing the encryption service, people felt secured. Users will have another option along with WhatsApp where they can still converse securely.
(Feature Image credit: TechCrunch)
