Messaging service of Facebook, Facebook Messenger is set to provide strong encryption to its users soon which will make the sent message available for reading only to the sender and the recipient, according to reports.
Facebook’s vice president David Marcus said on his Facebook page, “Providing more ways for people to safely share is an important part of making the world more open and connected.”
“Whether you’re asking a doctor for medical advice sending sensitive account information to your spouse, or even your Social Security Number, it’s important to have options available for sharing these kinds of very sensitive messages.”
Facebook, it its WhatsApp service have already started end-to-end encryption and messaging services from Google and Apple are looking to add it in their services. Many security agencies and officials are against this feature as according to them, it will allow criminals and bad actors to operate in secret where traditional wiretaps does not work.
In a statement Facebook has said, “The feature will be optional because many people want Messenger to work when you switch between devices, such as tablet, desktop computer or phone and hence the encrypted message may only be read on one device.”
It added, “Secret conversations are available on a limited test basis right now, but we will be making the option more widely available this summer.”
By Prajakt K.
