Facebook Messenger’s brand-new end-to-end encryption chat features have been released. This new feature has been branded as “Secret Conversations,” however, before embarking on this new feature, it’s important to understand why we need to enable end-to-end chat settings.
Our online activities are constantly under threat, from marketers to hackers online targeting individuals, it isn’t that uncommon to run into privacy security issues. A few days ago, Yahoo, who had been secretly working on a new hacking tool to enable scanning of their customer’s private emails, to send this information to U.S. Intelligence officials; it is obvious why we need all the protection we can get.
If one would want to opt-in for hiding your personal life from the dangers of others online, end-to-end encryption is a must. If performed right, without end-to-end, hackers working for an encryption company, or even federal agents with an accountable warrant, can easily acquire your information – usually without your knowledge.
Strangely enough, just this past year, mobile app WhatsApp became the world’s largest end-to-end encryption inside a messaging network environment. This went down in technology history, as the company introduced yet another layer of security for their billion-plus users in a manner in which no other company can touch. And joining in on the action, Facebook launched their new end-to-end encryption for “Secret Conversations,” recently. This feature is available to all of their, roughly estimated, 900 million users.
However, unlike WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger provides this encryption setting as an option – not standard. Google did a similar thing when they recently rolled out their new Google Allo. This encrypted messaging application is a close resemblance to Facebook’s Messenger, in that on both applications. you must enable the encryption feature.
This feature can only be enabled by the Messenger application on your iPhone or Android device. Simply open Facebook Messenger, click on any person you have already started a chat session with and then select the “I” at the top right. Select “Secret Conversation” near the bottom and you will see your chat turn black. From there, you can chat with your friends knowing you are completely secure.
Surprisingly enough, you are now chatting with your friends using end-to-end encryption. However, you can revert back to your old regular by going back to the main screen and selecting the person you want to chat with.
Please do take note, that while utilizing end-to-end security encryption, you are not completely clear from spying eyes. Facebook still records and stores your information, such as phone calls and messages. This information is then at the demand of any law enforcement agencies, and your precious data is handed over to the government, whenever the information appears to be needed, with or without probable cause.
Sources: Hack Read, WhatsApp, Google Allo.
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