Facebook has revealed its start on testing end-to-end encryption for chats in its popular Messenger service. This feature, called Secret Conversations, will be optional on a chat-by-chat basis – but will bar even Facebook from accessing the content of select chats in Messenger.
In an announcement today, Facebook says that this beefed-up encryption is intended for discussions where especially private or sensitive information, such as a health problem or financial details, will be shared. Secret Conversations will also be limited to viewing only on one device of each of the participants, while a timer can be used to control how long a message remains visible on-screen.
Facebook added that Secret Conversations will be opt-in because “many people want Messenger to work when you switch between devices, such as a tablet, desktop computer or phone.” The social media site clarified that, while Secret Conversations “are available on a limited test basis right now, … we will be making the option more widely available this summer.”
