> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.womensprivacyproject.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The End of End-to-End Encryption is Nigh for Instagram - URL: https://www.womensprivacyproject.org/the-end-of-end-to-end-encryption-is-nigh-for-instagram/ - Published: 2026-03-24T11:00:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-24T11:00:41.000Z - Description: That's right, what little privacy you may have once had on Instagram is ending on May 8. - Author: KL - Tags: Fuck Zuck, Data Privacy, Online Privacy, Messaging, E2EE, Digital Privacy, Social Media That's right, what little privacy you may have once had on Instagram is ending on May 8. --- I've mentioned (briefly) before that Instagram messages *did* have an *opt-in* option for end-to-end encryption (e2ee). Not that I *ever* recommend using Meta services at all if privacy is something you value, but I *did* mention it... [Quit SMS Text MessagesAmericans love to text, but it’s the least secure form of digital messaging.. it’s time to move on.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/7a/c67a8e68-423b-4e2c-bcc2-eac3686864d7/content/images/icon/Logo-full-smaller-1.png)Women's Privacy ProjectKL![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/7a/c67a8e68-423b-4e2c-bcc2-eac3686864d7/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1461685265823-f8d5d0b08b9b)](https://www.womensprivacyproject.org/quit-sms-text-messages/) Well, now Zuck's like, "I mean, hardly anyone was using that top-secret feature we buried deep in the privacy settings anyways, so we're just gonna, like, ditch it." Ok, that's not a direct quote, but it's [more or less accurate](https://www.theverge.com/tech/894752/instagram-end-to-end-encryption?ref=womensprivacyproject.org). ### What should you do if you're using Instagram messages? Well, if you're one of the rare and endangered species who traversed the deepest, darkest caves and actually managed to turn on end-to-end encryption, [they say](https://help.instagram.com/491565145294150/?helpref=uf%5Fshare&ref=womensprivacyproject.org): > 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. Instructions which are vague enough as to be lost in a fog storm during a hurricane, but I guess look for a note or something? Or, if you weren't one of the fortunate few to find that buried treasure, Zuck'll just keep on reading all those messages like he always has (and training his AI bots on all of it). All that said, if you're still using Instagram messages, you should just... not. Just, like... leave. Do it. Throw it in Zuck's stupid smug mug. [Mark Zuckerberg’s makeover didn’t make people like him, study shows | TechCrunchA study by the Pew Research Center found that Americans’ views of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg skew more negative than positive. While Zuckerberg has![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/7a/c67a8e68-423b-4e2c-bcc2-eac3686864d7/content/images/icon/cropped-cropped-favicon-gradient.png)TechCrunchAmanda Silberling![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/7a/c67a8e68-423b-4e2c-bcc2-eac3686864d7/content/images/thumbnail/GettyImages-2173579488.jpg)](https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/20/mark-zuckerbergs-makeover-didnt-make-people-like-him-study-shows/?guccounter=1&ref=womensprivacyproject.org) [Signal really is great.](https://www.womensprivacyproject.org/up-your-signal-game/) You should try it! Bring your friends! That's all I've got for today. Leave it to Zuck to ruin a barely good thing. Keep on keepin' on, KL [![CTA Image](https://womens-privacy-project.ghost.io/content/images/2026/02/Logo-Black-1.png)](https://buymeacoffee.com/privacyproject?ref=womensprivacyproject.org) The **Women's Privacy Project* is free for everyone, but it costs ****$200/year** to host on secure, private servers (and it's a labor of love). If you found this content helpful or at least interesting, please consider supporting the mission with a one-time or monthly contribution. [Support the Project ](https://buymeacoffee.com/privacyproject?ref=womensprivacyproject.org)