Facebook Messenger finally wants to make end-to-end encrypted the default

New security features are being tested by Facebook Messenger.

On Wednesday, the messaging platform announced it would begin testing "secure storage" of users' Messenger conversations on the company's server, so that users can still access their message history even if they lose their device or want to restore it. Messenger's end-to-end encrypted features, as well as other security-related features, will be expanded and tested.

The social media giant has a poor track record when it comes to privacy and security. The question of how Meta will protect its users' personal information and moderate abortion content on the platform is still unanswered.

Recently, Facebook complied with a search warrant to turn over private messages between a teenage girl and her mother who are now facing criminal charges for breaking the abortion laws in their state. Meta issued a statement saying the warrants didn't mention abortion and that the police were investigating the burning and burial of a stillborn infant. Following the Supreme Court decision, Facebook began removing posts about abortion pills, and Media Matters reported that the social media platform allowed fake abortion pill reversal ads.

Users keep their message history on their own devices. Messenger's end-to-end encryption is opt-in, meaning that users have to choose to use it. With these new tests, users' message history would be automatically end-to-end encrypted instead of opt-in, and that data would be securely backed up in Messenger's server. Users can use a code or PIN to access backups. Meta doesn't have access to this pin.

Most people don't opt-in and are vulnerable if end-to-end encryption is made the default. According to Albert Fox Cahn, true end-to-end encryption would have made it impossible for Facebook to hand over that data.

Messenger is testing a number of security features, including the ability to unsend messages, a browser extension that checks the authenticity of your web code, and removing vanish mode, which is similar to a disappearing message. Messenger was built for end-to-end chats.

Messenger will be testing secure storage on mobile devices, but not on messenger.com, the desktop app, or chats are not secure. When the default end-to-end encryption features go live in 2023, users that are in the test group will not have to opt in.

Even if everything is end-to-end secure, there's still a question of how your data is stored. There is an option to opt out of Facebook if the answer is not well.