
Meta pulls encrypted Instagram DMs as adoption stalls
Meta is retiring end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages due to low opt-in adoption, with the feature set to be removed by May 8, 2026. Encryption was available only in select regions on a per-chat basis, not as a default. Meta suggests users who want encrypted messaging can rely on WhatsApp, and notes that Messenger encryption by default is still evolving. The change follows years of debate over privacy versus safety and ongoing regulatory scrutiny, though Messenger’s encryption status remains separate from Instagram DMs.









