Meta has begun rolling out default end-to-end encryption for all Messenger conversations in the European Union following enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act. The change affects approximately 120 million EU Messenger users and applies to both one-on-one and group conversations.
Previously, Messenger offered end-to-end encryption only as an opt-in feature through its Secret Conversations mode, which fewer than 5 percent of users activated. Under the DMA's interoperability and privacy requirements, EU regulators determined that default encryption was necessary to ensure baseline user privacy protections.
Law enforcement agencies across Europe have criticized the change, arguing it will hinder criminal investigations. Meta has responded by implementing a system that preserves metadata for lawful access requests while keeping message content encrypted. Privacy advocates have praised the move but note that Meta's compliance outside the EU remains voluntary.
