It looks like users who want end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on Meta-owned apps like Facebook Messenger and Instagram will have to wait until 2023 for the privacy feature to roll out to the platforms.
This according to a report by The Guardian, noting that child safety advocates have called for a delay to the feature as it might prevent abusers from being spotted.
End-to-end encryption already exists within both of the aforementioned apps, but it is crucially not a default function, as it is in WhatsApp, another Meta-owned messaging service. As such, Meta’s desire to create a unified messaging platform leveraging al the properties under its umbrella will need to wait, as Meta looks for a way to better assist with safety concerns and issues.
It is something that Meta is aware of, with the company’s head of safety, Antigone Davis, sharing her thoughts with the Sunday Telegraph.
“We’re taking our time to get this right and we don’t plan to finish the global rollout of end-to-end encryption by default across all our messaging services until sometime in 2023,” she explained.
“As a company that connects billions of people around the world and has built industry-leading technology, we’re determined to protect people’s private communications and keep people safe online,” Davis added.
How Meta plans to get the E2EE system right in order to please all parties is unclear for now. As is whether the company will be taking on the advise or direction of others, with members of the UK government already citing concerns over Meta’s desire to make E2EE available across all of its messaging platforms.
“Sadly, at a time when we need to be taking more action, Facebook are pursuing end-to-end encryption plans that place the good work and progress achieved so far in jeopardy,” highlighted UK Home Secretary, Pritti Patel, earlier in the year.
“The offending will continue, the images of children being abused will proliferate – but the company intends to blind itself to this problem through end-to-end encryption which prevents all access to messaging content. This is not acceptable. We cannot allow a situation where law enforcement’s ability to tackle abhorrent criminal acts and protect victims is severely hampered,” she added.
It therefore puts Meta in a difficult position, with some wanting the privacy that comes with E2EE and others justifiably pointing out potential issues with it. With more eyes on Meta following the recent whistleblower testimony, it needs to make the right move come 2023.
[Image – Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash]
