Meta can now access your Instagram DMs, including images, videos, and voice notes, after it officially pulled the plug on end-to-end encryption (e2ee) for direct messages.
Instagram users previously had the option to switch on end-to-end encryption, a privacy feature designed to protect personal chats better.
The feature worked by stopping messages from being easily intercepted or viewed while moving between users.
But things have now changed. Instagram chats will instead move under standard encryption, meaning platforms and network providers may still be able to access certain messages if legally required.
“End-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported as of 8 May 2026.” reads the announcement
End-to-end encryption protects messages by ensuring only the sender and recipient can read them. At the same time, the service provider cannot access the content because it stays encrypted until it reaches the receiver’s device.
Meta quietly removed end-to-end encryption on Instagram after saying not enough users used the feature. The setting was never turned on by default, many users didn’t know it existed, and it had to be activated manually for each chat.
Back in 2019, Meta said it wanted stronger private messaging across its apps, including Messenger and Instagram. Since then, the company has moved away from fully making end-to-end encryption the default option.
