Jakarta, INTI - Instagram announced through its official help center page that the platform will discontinue support for its end-to-end encrypted messaging feature starting May 8, 2026.
In its explanation, Instagram stated that the encrypted messaging feature will no longer be available after that date. Users with conversations affected by this change will receive an in-app notification.
"End-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram will no longer be supported after May 8, 2026," Instagram wrote.
The discontinuation of this feature means that users will no longer be able to access the messaging system with end-to-end encryption, which previously allowed only the sender and recipient to read the contents of messages.
With this change, Instagram's messaging system will go back to using the platform's standard mechanisms.
Users are urged to Review Their Messages
Instagram also urges users to review and manage their conversations before the feature is discontinued, especially if there are important messages stored in the encrypted system.
Previously, each device in an end-to-end encrypted conversation had a special key used to protect the conversation. When a user sent a message in an end-to-end encrypted chat, the device would lock the message upon delivery.
This message could only be decrypted by a device that possessed one of the chat's special keys. The same applies to video and audio conversation content. No one, not even Meta, could read messages or listen to calls except those with these special keys.
End-to-end encryption also adds extra security and protection to messages and calls in chats, allowing only the user and the other person to see, hear, or read them.
The content of a user's messages and calls in an end-to-end encrypted chat is protected from the moment the message leaves the device until it reaches the recipient's device.
Conclusion
Instagram will discontinue its end-to-end encrypted messaging feature starting May 8, 2026, meaning users will no longer be able to enjoy a security system that only allows the sender and recipient to read the message content. After this feature is discontinued, the messaging service will revert to its standard mechanism, and users will be notified and encouraged to review important past conversations.
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