End-to-end encrypted Facebook Messenger chats have lengthy been held again by an absence of options, however which may not be an issue for for much longer. Meta is rolling out a big Messenger replace that brings most of the service’s options to encrypted conversations. You can use reactions, stickers (together with GIFs), message-specific replies and forwarding. You’ll additionally see typing indicators, verified consumer badges and screenshot notifications.

The improve additionally helps you to save photographs and movies, and edit media earlier than you ship it. Meta has additionally completed bringing encrypted group chats and calls to Messenger, so that you should not have to fret {that a} household dialogue is perhaps uncovered to snoops.

Meta does not count on end-to-end encryption to be the default for Facebook Messenger and Instagram till 2023. You’ll want to make use of WhatsApp should you count on that comfort within the meantime. Still, the function replace might go a great distance towards fulfilling Mark Zuckerberg’s aim of a extra “privacy-focused” social community the place fewer folks see what you are doing.

Not that governments are thrilled. Officials from the UK and different international locations have railed in opposition to end-to-end encryption, arguing that it hurts legislation enforcement’s skill to struggle baby exploitation, extremism and different threats. However, Meta is not prone to again down — the corporate has rejected calls to weaken encryption, noting that backdoors would compromise security and safety (by giving hackers simpler entry) on prime of any privateness considerations. Expect the tech agency to proceed bolstering encrypted chat options for some time to return.