Facebook has been slow to implement end-to-end encryption for its messaging apps, but small steps continue to happen nonetheless. Today he announced the introduction of the E2EE option for voice and video calls in Messenger.

E2E encryption is already available in Messenger for text as a separate mode called Secret Conversations and its sister chat app, WhatsApp, but it’s a much needed step forward as it’s applied to voice and video streams. As with Text Messenger, the company says E2EE for video and voice calls will be enabled. We still have to get this update and therefore see where the toggle is.

For those who need a refresher on E2E encryption: devices at either end of the conversation generate hash keys with which to scramble and then decrypt traffic. Since no one else has access to these hashes, no one in between, not even Facebook, will be able to see what’s going on in the chat. Users can view their own and their cohort’s keys by tapping on feed settings.

E2E encryption is also being tested on group chats and calls in Messenger and Instagram direct messaging (opt-in), so expect more protection to come relatively soon – protections that most Signal users will find most likely to use. , Telegram and Google Duo are already benefiting.

In addition to this, the Messages that disappear in secret conversations feature is updated with new time settings that allow users to choose when each new message in a thread – that is, not just their own. – disappears. The options range from 5 seconds to 24 hours with several intermediate points including 30 seconds, 10 minutes, 6 hours and others.

This is separate from the Vanish mode for non-secret conversations, introduced last fall, which deletes every message after being seen just once.