An important Instagram update rolling out today: here's what you need to know
Starting today, direct messages on Instagram will no longer be end-to-end encrypted. Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption has to switch to an alternate messaging app, such as WhatsApp or Messenger.
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Instagram DMs lose end-to-end encryption.
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Users told to switch to WhatsApp or Messenger.
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Privacy debate reignited over encrypted messaging and safety.
End-to-end encryption is a feature that allows only the sender and the recipient to read a message. This means that hackers, your internet provider, and even the company that developed the messaging app can’t read the messages you're sending.
Meta first announced end-to-end encryption for Instagram users in 2019, but it took until 2023 for it to be implemented. On top of that, the feature wasn’t available in many regions outside the US and had to be enabled manually.
Despite these limitations, Meta recently decided to completely pull the plug on its end-to-end encryption feature. The company says that end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram will no longer be supported after May 8th, 2026.
“If you have chats that are impacted by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages you may want to keep. If you’re on an older version of Instagram, you may also need to update the app before you can download your affected chats,” Meta says on its help page.
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In March 2026, a Meta spokesperson commented that only “very few people” were actually using the option to end-to-end encrypt direct messages on Instagram. That’s why the company decided to remove the feature. “Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption can easily do that on WhatsApp,” he added.
Around the same time, TikTok announced it had no plans to introduce end-to-end encryption to secure direct messages on its platform, arguing it would make users less safe because law enforcement authorities wouldn’t be able to read them if they needed to.
According to The Guardian, Meta has endured criticism in the past from child safety groups and law enforcement authorities who argued it would weaken the ability to keep children safe online.
A spokesperson for the Australian eSafety Commissioner’s Office told the British news outlet that strong encryption plays an important role in protecting privacy and security.
FAQ
Does Instagram notify screenshots of stories?
No, Instagram does not notify users when someone screenshots their regular stories. However, Instagram does notify users if you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent via direct message. Regular story screenshots remain private and undetectable.
Is Instagram safe for sending private photos?
Instagram removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages on May 8, 2026. This means Meta can now see the content of your Instagram DMs, making it not safe for sending private photos. If you need to send sensitive images, use a platform with encryption like Signal or WhatsApp instead.
Does Instagram require a phone number to sign in?
No, Instagram doesn't strictly require a phone number to sign up. You can initially create an account using just an email address. However, Instagram often locks new accounts shortly after creation and forces users to verify with a phone number before they can continue using the service, making it effectively mandatory for most users in practice.
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