Meta has decided to remove end-to-end encryption from Instagram direct messages, effective May 8, 2026. The company shared the news through a low-profile update to its help documentation. The move has significant implications for how private communication works on one of the world’s most popular social platforms.
Instagram’s encryption was introduced in 2023 following years of delays. Zuckerberg had made it a public commitment in 2019 to bring encrypted messaging to all Meta services. When the feature finally launched, it was opt-in, meaning users had to consciously choose to activate it.
Meta says the feature attracted very little interest from users. The company’s spokesperson explained that few people were opting into end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram. Given this low usage, Meta concluded that maintaining the feature was not worthwhile.
The reaction from law enforcement has been broadly welcoming. Agencies including the FBI, Interpol, and the UK’s National Crime Agency had campaigned against encryption on Instagram for years, arguing it made child protection more difficult. Australia’s eSafety office also noted the need for platforms to maintain safety standards alongside any privacy features they deploy.
Privacy advocates remain critical and warn of unintended consequences. Tom Sulston of Digital Rights Watch questioned why Meta chose removal over improvement. He also warned that without encryption, Meta is one step closer to using private message content to fuel its advertising and AI systems.
