Instagram to Change Message Protection Rules Soon

Instagram will discontinue end-to-end encryption for direct messages starting May 8, 2026, as confirmed by its parent company Meta. The decision follows user feedback indicating that most opted not to use encryption. This move enables Meta to monitor and flag illegal content more effectively, particularly in response to regulatory pressure to protect minors from harmful material online. Users seeking private messaging will still have the option to use WhatsApp, which retains its encryption features.

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