Platforms Roll Back End‑to‑End Encryption

Meta will remove end‑to‑end encryption (E2EE) from Instagram direct messages by May 8, 2026, claiming low opt‑in rates and redirecting users who want E2EE to WhatsApp. TikTok has likewise said it will not introduce E2EE, arguing encrypted DMs hinder safety and law‑enforcement access. — This shift concentrates private messaging and surveillance choices at a few dominant apps, reshaping privacy norms and potential regulatory responses for billions of users.