Meta Platforms will discontinue end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram from May 8, 2026, the platform confirmed, ending a feature it had previously promoted as a key privacy safeguard.
The feature is being removed because only a small number of users opted to enable it.
Users whose chats are affected will receive instructions on how to download messages or media they want to keep before the change takes effect. Some users may also need to update the Instagram app to access the download option.
After the change, Instagram direct messages will no longer have end-to-end encryption, meaning the platform could technically access message content stored on its servers.
Without the encryption layer, messages may be stored in a way that allows the platform to review or process them for purposes such as safety checks, moderation or policy enforcement. The shift could help detect scams, harmful content or violations of platform rules more easily.
The move revives a debate over the balance between privacy and online safety. Digital rights advocates have long argued that strong encryption is essential to protect private communication from hacking or interception.
At the same time, governments and regulators in several countries have pressed technology companies to strengthen monitoring of private messaging services to address scams, illegal activity and other online harms.