Instagram to stop supporting end-to-end encrypted DMs after May 8 [U: Reason for removal]

Update 14/03/26 – 03:06 pm (IST): In a statement to The Verge, a Meta spokesperson told the publication that the reason to remove E2EE on Instagram was that “very few people” were using it.

Original article published on March 13, 2026, follows:

Instagram has confirmed that end-to-end encryption will end on May 8, 2026. The platform will stop supporting this rather essential privacy feature, and users who currently have important messages are advised to download their encrypted content right away.

Previously, Instagram offered end-to-end encryption to protect chats. Messages from the sender were delivered through special keys, and receivers could only unlock them with matching keys. Theoretically, there was no way for Meta to gain access to these messages, and they’re entirely out of the picture.

Since Meta will be removing this privacy feature, the company will theoretically be able to access message content, especially when required by authorities. People link the decision to content scanning, and authorities are also demanding better detection of illegal material in chats.

This update was probably influenced by pressure from governments. Laws in Europe and the UK encourage platforms to review private conversations, to check for illegal material, and to protect children online. Meta can now scan chats for CSAM material.

Reactions online are largely negative, with Redditors questioning this sudden move, and posts quickly went viral on X. People fear that the removal of encryption could mean the beginning of widespread surveillance and control. There’s also no information on whether messages sent before May 8 will remain protected by end-to-end encryption.

Instagram can now see and review up to 30 of the most recent messages that are reported. People also express concern about these chats being used to train AI models. Another widespread concern is about Meta removing encryption from WhatsApp messages as well.

I’d recommend saving your important chats and downloading them before the feature vanishes. Instagram offers clear instructions on how you can export chats. It’s unclear whether encryption will be removed for calls as well, since Instagram only mentions chats. Meta has another popular chatting app, Facebook Messenger, and there’s no clarification yet on whether encryption would be removed there as well.

While the loss of the layer of privacy isn’t good news, Instagram is actively working on new features, such as comment editing. You can read about that here.

We stand out from the tech-media crowd because we break news stories; we mainly bring you stuff that you won’t find anywhere in the mainstream tech media. Our stories have been picked up by some of the world’s most popular websites and media outlets—more info is available here.