How to Start Secret Conversations on Facebook Messenger


The Hacker News


If you are looking for ways to start a secret conversation on Facebook Messenger with your friends, then you are at the right place.



In this article, I am going to tell you about Facebook Messenger's new end-to-end encrypted chat feature, dubbed "Secret Conversations," but before that, know why do you need your chats to be end-to-end encrypted?

Your online privacy is under threat not only from online marketers and hackers but also from governments. Just yesterday, it was revealed that Yahoo secretly built hacking tool to scan all of its customers' incoming emails for US intelligence officials.

So, to hide your personal life online from prying eyes, you need end-to-end encryption that allows you to send and receive messages in a way that no one, including the feds with a warrant, hackers and not even the company itself, can intercept or read them.

Last year, WhatsApp became the largest end-to-end encrypted messaging network in history by rolling out another layer of security to its billion users, and now Facebook has finally rolled out end-to-end encryption Secret Conversations feature for its 900 million users of Facebook Messenger.

Though unlike WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger offers end-to-end encrypted chat feature as opt-in, just like Google's Allo smart chat application that provides encrypted chat only if users opt for it.


Here's How to get Started with Secret Conversations:

facebook-messenger-secret-chat


  • Open Facebook Messenger on your Android or iOS device.
  • Open your existing conversation.
  • Tap the information icon in the upper right corner of your phone.
  • Select 'Secret Conversation'.
That's it. You're done!

Now, all your chats with your selected friend will be end-to-end encrypted that nobody can read or intercept.

This end-to-end encrypted Secret Conversations feature also include self-destructive messages that automatically deleted once the timer set by you get expired.

Messengers Secret Conversations feature is based on the Signal protocol — the same encryption protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems and used by Google's Allo and Facebook-owned Whatsapp.

Here's one thing to note is that you will not be able to send animated GIFs, share videos, or make money transfers in secret conversations, as these features are not supported.

Facebook rolled out Secret Conversations a few months back in July, but yesterday made it available for all of its Messenger users.




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