Meta is ending end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages, the organisation announced.

Meta says the move is due to a lack of user use of the tool, which keeps messages secured between sender and recipient.

End-t0-end encryption will no longer be available on Instagram after 8 May, 2026, the firm said.

Meta has continually been embroiled in the encryption debate, facing flack from users for turning out private messages and data to law enforcement, whilst coming under fire for employing encryption that could allow users to evade law enforcement investigations when it comes to grooming and child abuse.

TikTok recently commented that, unlike Meta, it would not offer end-to-end encryption on its direct messaging services, explaining that this is due to safety concerns.

This was in stark comparison to Meta, which revealed internal pushback occurred within senior leadership ahead of its implementation of end-to-end encryption across Facebook and Instagram messaged.

Internal documents revealed in an ongoing lawsuit centred around Meta platforms’ allegedly addictive design, a Meta executive warned CEO Mark Zuckerberg of the potential fallout of implementing encryption.

Meta’s head of content policy wrote on March 2019 shortly before Zuckerberg announced the encryption plans publicly: “We are about to do a bad thing as a company. This is so irresponsible.”

While end-to-end encryption has long been the scorn of law enforcement and authorities, it is hailed by privacy and tech experts as the most secure way to protect messages from unwanted surveillance.

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When it was being debated by MPs during the drafting of the Online Safety Bill, even the most ardent advocates for child protection and the sacrifice of privacy did not want to outright get rid of encryption. Rather, MPs pressed for organisation to make backdoors or allow for pre-emptive scanning for illicit or illegal content prior to encryption. These technologies, however, either did not exist or would compromise the privacy that encryption needs.

Apple continues to battle against state instances that it creates a backdoor to its encryption, electing to remove its encryption tool from its UK markets rather than compromise its encryption through the creation of a master key following an alleged secret order from the Home Office.

Still, online safety advocates lament the fact that the privacy encryption offers works not only for the average user, but for criminals using messaging platforms to target individuals, plan illegal activities, or sell illicit material.

Meta is currently only removing its encryption tool from Instagram – Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp will remain encrypted.

However, the debate surrounding encryption rages on as the true meaning of privacy, safety, and security confound politicians and tech developers alike.

Meta Exec Called Encryption Plans “So Irresponsible,” Court Doc Reveals