Facebook Messenger: secret conversations encryption and end-to-end inbound

Facebook Messenger: secret conversations encryption and end-to-end inbound

To date, the most effective technology to protect online conversations from prying eyes is the end-to-end encryption. The company Zuckerberg explains it this way: "It means that the messages are intended only for you and the other person and no one else, including us. In a secret conversation, You can also set a timer to control the time during which each message is displayed in the conversation. "

Facebook's technology uses the Signal Protocol Open Whisper Systems, the same on which the cryptographic protection system used by WhatsApp, application - remember him - still belongs to Facebook. Unlike the approach used on WhatsApp, not all conversations made using your Facebook Messenger will be protected by encryption, end-to-end. Start a secret conversation with someone will optional, will be the user to set it as "secret."

The reason is simple: unlike WhatsApp, which is used only on a single device, Messenger can be used on smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. The secret conversations can only be read on one device and it is for this that the approach on the two applications is so different. In secret conversations is also not expected (at least temporarily) support for advanced content such as GIF or video, it is not possible to make payments or use other typical features of the service.

At the time of writing the secret conversations are available on a limited test basis, but a complete roll-out will be started later this summer. During the test, the company will collect feedback on the functionality from users, by measuring performance and introducing tools to help flag content.