Experts Warn Against Using Unencrypted Facebook Messenger

Last week, Facebook proudly rolled out a new security feature for its Messenger platform that allows users to unlock their messages with a face scan. However, according to experts, this extra layer of privacy is still woefully inadequate.

Comparing the new feature to “adding extra locks to the front door of a bank while leaving the vault wide open,” Digital Barriers CEO Zak Doffman wrote that true end-to-end encryption is the only way to meaningfully strengthen user security. And the most frustrating part is, Facebook knows it. The social media giant has long stated its “commitment” to encrypting Messenger without actually taking action.

“People should be able to communicate securely and privately with friends and loved ones without anyone — including Facebook — listening to or monitoring their conversations,” Facebook product director Jay Sullivan told lawmakers last year. “People should be able to send medical information, private financial or payment details, and other sensitive content with the confidence that it will not fall into the hands of identity thieves or others with malicious intent… Facebook is committed to making such private communications broadly available.”

Like with so many of Facebook’s other privacy measures, there’s a gap between what the company says and what it does. However, the social media giant has talked so much about encryption that it likely has to follow through at some point. Here’s hoping that day comes sooner rather than later.




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