Instagram has removed support for end-to-end encryption in direct messages as of May 8, 2026. With this change, messages sent in Instagram DMs will no longer be under full end-to-end encryption protection. While the messages returned to the standard encryption structure, the way was opened for Meta to access the message contents when necessary. Instagram messages will no longer be protected with end-to-end encryption.
End-to-end encryption on Instagram has been offered as an optional feature since 2023. However, this feature was never made default for all users. Users had to turn on encrypted messaging individually for each chat. The setting was manually enabled on a chat-by-chat basis, and Meta did not widely roll out this option to all Instagram users. Meta explained its decision to remove this feature due to its low usage rate.
In the company’s statement, it was stated that the number of users who prefer end-to-end encryption in Instagram DMs remains very low. For this reason, the feature was removed from Instagram as of May 8, 2026. End-to-end encryption is a protection method that ensures that messages can only be read by the sender and recipient. While this structure is active, the platform provider cannot see the message content. After the change in Instagram, messages returned to standard encryption.
This means that Meta can access message contents when necessary. The most important change for Instagram users is that DMs are no longer protected by end-to-end encryption as in WhatsApp or iMessage. Meta states that users who want end-to-end encryption can use WhatsApp. End-to-end encryption support on WhatsApp and Messenger continues for now. Some messaging services other than Meta, such as Signal and iMessage, also feature end-to-end encryption.
Users who previously used end-to-end encrypted chat on Instagram were informed to download the messages or media they wanted to keep. This warning was shared to prevent users with encrypted chat history from losing their content. The timing of the decision is also noteworthy. End-to-end encryption support on Instagram was removed shortly before the Take It Down Act came into force in the US. This law imposes a removal obligation on online platforms for non-consensual intimate images and deepfake content produced with artificial intelligence.
According to information provided by the Associated Press, the law requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours and take steps to prevent the same images from being re-uploaded.
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