Update on August 22, 2023 at 9:00AM PT:
Starting today, millions more people’s chats on Messenger will be upgraded to stronger encryption standards as part of our ongoing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) testing. We remain on track to launch default E2EE for one-to-one friends and family chats on Messenger by the end of the year. As we expand the testing, we’re also sharing an update on how we’re approaching this massive engineering challenge.
Originally published on January 23, 2023 at 7:05AM PT:
Today Mark Zuckerberg announced the introduction of some of the features that you love in Messenger to end-to-end encrypted chats, including:
- Chat themes: We’ve added chat themes to help personalize and enhance your conversations in end-to-end encrypted chats. Tired of a plain background? Can’t wait to show your Swiftie credentials with the Midnights theme? Now you can set themes, including static color and gradient themes, for end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Custom chat emojis and reactions: Want to personalize your response? You can see the full menu of emoji reactions and customize the quick reaction tray in end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Group profile photos: Choose group profile photos for different chats with friends or work colleagues.
- Link previews: We’ve rebuilt link previews for end-to-end encrypted chats so that you can see where a link is taking you, before clicking on it.
- Active Status: Let people see when you’re active, so they know when it’s a good time to call. You can also choose to turn this feature off, if you want to improve your privacy.
- Bubbles on Android: Bubbles (a circle with your friend’s picture) let you read and reply to messages while you’re using other apps. Once enabled, a bubble will appear when you get a new message.
We’ve also started gradually expanding testing default end-to-end encryption for Messenger. We know people want a space to connect and they want to know that those conversations are private, safe and secure. That is why we’ve spent time building a team of talented engineers, cryptologists, designers and policy experts who are all committed to rolling out default end-to-end encryption on Messenger.
Over the next few months, more people will continue to see some of their chats gradually being upgraded with an extra layer of protection provided by end-to-end encryption. We will notify people in these individual chat threads as they are upgraded. We know people will have questions about how we select and upgrade individual threads, so we wanted to make clear that this is a random process. It’s designed to be random so that there isn’t a negative impact on our infrastructure and people’s chat experience. This also ensures our new end-to-end encrypted threads continue to give people the fast, reliable and rich experience on Messenger.
Building a secure and resilient end-to-end encrypted service for the billions of messages that are sent on Messenger every day requires careful testing. We’ll provide updates as we continue to make progress towards this goal over the course of 2023.
As an expert in the field of encryption and online security, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the table. My expertise extends to the intricate details of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) systems, cryptographic protocols, and the challenges associated with implementing robust security measures in large-scale communication platforms.
Now, let's delve into the provided article regarding the updates on Messenger's end-to-end encryption, published on August 22, 2023:
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End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) Testing and Upgrade:
- The article mentions that millions more people's chats on Messenger will be upgraded to stronger encryption standards as part of the ongoing E2EE testing.
- The goal is to launch default E2EE for one-to-one friends and family chats on Messenger by the end of the year.
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Key Features Introduced:
- Chat Themes: Personalization is a key focus, allowing users to set themes, including static color and gradient themes, for end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Custom Chat Emojis and Reactions: Users can now personalize their responses with a full menu of emoji reactions and customize the quick reaction tray in end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Group Profile Photos: Users have the ability to choose group profile photos for different chats with friends or work colleagues.
- Link Previews: The article mentions the rebuilding of link previews for end-to-end encrypted chats, ensuring users can see where a link is taking them before clicking on it.
- Active Status: A feature is introduced that lets people see when a user is active, enhancing communication by indicating suitable times to call. This feature can also be turned off for privacy reasons.
- Bubbles on Android: Bubbles, represented by a circle with a friend's picture, allow users to read and reply to messages while using other apps. Once enabled, a bubble will appear when a new message is received.
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Default End-to-End Encryption Testing:
- The article notes that default end-to-end encryption testing for Messenger has started, and the gradual expansion of this testing will continue over the next few months.
- The aim is to provide users with a private, safe, and secure space for their conversations.
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Randomized Selection Process:
- The article clarifies that the selection and upgrade of individual threads to end-to-end encryption is a random process. This randomness is designed to avoid negative impacts on infrastructure and people's chat experiences.
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Commitment to Security:
- The article emphasizes the commitment of Messenger's team, comprising talented engineers, cryptologists, designers, and policy experts, to rolling out default end-to-end encryption. This commitment ensures a secure and resilient service for the billions of messages sent on Messenger daily.
In summary, Messenger is actively working to enhance user privacy and security through the implementation of end-to-end encryption, accompanied by a set of user-friendly features to personalize and improve the overall chat experience. This approach aligns with the broader industry focus on integrity and security in communication platforms.
