Facebook tests end-to-end encryption with Secret Conversations

By

And you thought all those Facebook messages were private. Sucker!
Facebook Messenger just got super secure.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Facebook has begun testing end-to-end encryption with a new feature called Secret Conversations. Users will have the ability to chat confidentially without having to worry about being snooped on — but not everyone can enjoy super secure messaging just yet.

As Apple fought with the FBI to maintain its strong stance on privacy, other technology giants followed suit and promised end-to-end encryption for their users. Facebook-owned WhatsApp has already delivered on its promise, and now Facebook itself is stepping up its game.

With Secret Conversations, you can chat to other Facebook Messenger users without the fear of your messages being intercepted. Only you and your recipient can read the messages; not even Facebook is able to provide access to them.

Secret Conversations can also self-destruct. Users have the ability to set a timer when starting a new conversation, and when that timer is up, all traces of the chat are deleted automatically. But there are downsides to this new feature.

Secret Conversations aren’t enabled by default, and there’s only so much you can share with them. For instance, you cannot send instant payments, use the GIF keyboard, or send videos. What’s more, Secret Conversations can only be read on one device — even if you’re logged in on others.

You’re probably not going to want to use Secret Conversations on Facebook Messenger all the time, then, but it could certainly come in handy, and it’s nice to have this option.

Secret Conversations is in testing with a small number of Messenger users right now, but providing that test goes well and Facebook doesn’t need to make any major changes, we can all expect to see it inside the Messenger app soon.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.