For years, Facebook has promised end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger and Instagram, ensuring users can communicate privately with each other. However, the plan has met with stiff resistance from governments around the world, who fear that the technology could be used by predators, terrorists, and other bad actors to cover their actions. That might be why Facebook’s parent company, Meta, announced this week that it will delay introducing encryption until at least 2023.

According to Meta global head of safety Antigone Davis, the company will create safety features like a detection system that proactively scans for suspicious patterns of activity. Davis also said that under-18 users will be placed into “friends only” accounts by default, ensuring that adults they don’t know can’t contact them.

“We believe people shouldn’t have to choose between privacy and safety, which is why we are building strong safety measures into our plans and engaging with privacy and safety experts, civil society and governments to make sure we get this right,” Davis wrote. “Our three-pronged approach is focused on preventing harm from happening in the first place, giving people more control, and quickly responding should something occur.”

On the one hand, it’s disappointing that Facebook will delay introducing such a game-changing privacy feature. But on the other, at least the company is taking the time it needs to create an even more impactful tool for users.

Recommended Resources

The Choice of Tech Experts Worldwide. Try 90 days free of Bitdefender and experience the highest level of digital safety.

Surf the web truly incognito. Try Bitdefender Premium VPN, the ultra-fast VPN that keeps your online identity and activities safe from hackers, ISPs and snoops.

System Mechanic 14 – Make your computer run like new. Winner of 200+ Editor’s Choice awards!