Meta has announced that it will encrypt personal calls and chats of every Messenger user by default, enhancing privacy and making the service similar to WhatsApp. The encryption ensures that even Meta cannot access the content unless users choose to report a message. The update is part of Meta’s broader effort to prioritize privacy, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing the shift towards private, encrypted services. The implementation relies on cryptographic principles, including those developed in-house and from the Signal encrypted messaging app. While Messenger previously allowed users to opt-in for end-to-end encryption since 2016, the default encryption is a significant step forward. The move is expected to contribute to the ongoing debate around privacy and law enforcement’s ability to conduct investigations.