Facebook Messenger Gets End-To-End Chat Encryption Feature With ‘Secret Conversations’

In its quest to become one of the most trusted messaging services, Facebook has announced it will soon begin testing end-to-end chat encryption feature dubbed "Secret Conversations" in its Messenger app.

The much talked about end-to-end encryption feature will be rolled out first to a small test group of Facebook Messenger users before it is made widely available later this summer. Facebook is using Open Whisper Systems' Signal Protocol to develop the new security feature, reported TechCrunch.

"We put people first in everything we do at Messenger, and today we are beginning to roll out a new option within Messenger to better support conversations about sensitive topics," Facebook noted in a blog post announcing "Secret Conversations."

As part of the new feature, users will be able to read text messages only on devices where they are sent or received. This means that even if a person has Messenger on a phone and on a computer, the conversation will be visible on only one device, reported The Telegraph.

In addition, users also will be able to set a timer to control how long the message remains visible to anyone. Once the time gets over, the message will disappear from the devices of all users in the conversation. The message expiry time can range between 5 seconds to 6 hours.

It is to be noted that the "Secret Conversations" feature does not currently support multimedia content like GIFs and videos, making payments, or other popular Messenger features.

Furthermore, in Facebook Messenger, end-to-end encryption will not be turned on by default. Explaining the reason behind making the new feature optional, the social networking giant said, "That's because many people want Messenger to work when you switch between devices, such as a tablet, desktop computer or phone. Secret conversations can only be read on one device and we recognize that experience may not be right for everyone."

Facebook-owned popular messaging service WhatsApp has already rolled out full end-to-end encryption to its billion-plus users back in April.

Will you feel safe using Facebook Messenger now? Let us know in comments below.