Meta appears to have begun removing end-to-end encryption from Instagram before the official May 8, 2026 deadline. Reports from Australia confirmed the feature was already inactive for users in that country when tested. Meta formally announced the global change through a quiet help page update.
The feature had been available since 2023 as an opt-in option on Instagram. Zuckerberg first promised it in 2019 as part of a broader encrypted messaging vision for Meta. The low adoption rate that followed gave Meta the official justification for its removal.
Once the global change takes effect, all Instagram DMs will be readable by Meta. Australia’s early experience suggests the deactivation is already underway in some markets. The full rollout is expected to be complete by May 8, 2026.
Child safety agencies and law enforcement had been consistent in their opposition to the feature. The FBI, Interpol, Australia’s federal police, and the UK’s National Crime Agency all argued it enabled criminal activity. Australia’s eSafety commissioner stressed that platforms must be proactive about safety regardless of their encryption choices.
Digital rights advocates warn that the silent removal ahead of the deadline sets a troubling precedent. Tom Sulston of Digital Rights Watch questioned whether users were given adequate notice. He argued that removing privacy features without clear communication is itself a form of disregard for user rights.