Facebook Adds Secret Conversations Feature to Messenger App

Facebook announced last week that it will be incorporating end-to-end encryption into its popular Messenger app. Called “secret conversations”, this feature ensures that communications will only be visible on the device that messages are sent to and creates secure one-to-one conversations that not even Facebook can access.

You can even set a timer (a la Mission Impossible) that deletes your message after a certain period of time has elapsed.

The catch is that you have to remember to opt into this feature, whereas all messages sent over Facebook’s WhatsApp are encrypted by default. The reasoning that Facebook provides in its press release is that secret conversations can only be read on one device, which may cause issues for people who toggle between phones, tablets, and laptops while using Messenger.

Another drawback is that secret conversations do not support data-rich content such as gifs and videos, and other Messenger features like making payments.

The implementation of end-to-end encryption on messaging apps has been a cause of consternation for law enforcement agencies, who argue that such stringent encryption protocols impede investigations — an issue that was raised in the bitter legal dispute between Apple and the FBI over decrypting a terrorist’s iPhone.

Christopher Soghoian, of the American Civil Liberties Union, on the other hand, criticized Facebook’s decision to not encrypt its Messenger app by default, writing on Twitter that “opt-in encryption favors educated users who have the time to learn about obscure security settings. Not cool Facebook.”

It’s an open question whether Facebook is bowing to pressure from the government by choosing opt-in encryption.

The security feature is currently in beta trials and is expected to be available to Messenger’s 900 million users later this summer.