Meta removes end-to-end encryption from Instagram DMs

Instagram's parent company can read all users' direct messages as of May 8, 2026.

Instagram parent company Meta has removed the end-to-end encryption feature for the platform's direct messages (DMs). This had been an optional security feature available to users since 2023, but the company claims not enough people used it to justify continued support.

Instagram's help center page has instructions for users who were using the feature:

End-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported as of May 8, 2026.
   •  If you have chats that are impacted by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages you may want to keep.
   •  If you're on an older version of Instagram, you may also need to update the app before you can download your affected chats.
For Meta's other end-to-end encrypted chat options, check out WhatsApp. 

As Meta gets deeper into bed with governments around the world, it is troubling to see the company throw out a privacy feature for DMs on a platform with over 1 billion users. The technology behemoth can now train its mediocre AI LLMs with users' DMs as well as provide messages to law enforcement agencies.

The company suggests users switch to WhatsApp (which it also owns) for end-to-end encryption chat options. We'll keep an eye on just how long that platform supports that privacy feature.

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