What are hidden messages on Messenger?

Following WhatsApp's transition to encrypted messages, Facebook rolls out Secret Conversations to protect users' privacy.

Following WhatsApp Facebook started testing Secret Conversations on Messenger in July 2016. In its official announcement, Facebook declared: “ ... we are starting to test the ability to create one-to-one secret conversations in Messenger that will be end-to-end encrypted and which can only be read on one device of the person you’re communicating with. That means the messages are intended just for you and the other person – not anyone else, including us. Within a secret conversation, you can also choose to set a timer to control the length of time each message you send remains visible within the conversation. Our technology uses the Signal Protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems.”

Technically speaking, Secret Conversations provide end-to-end encryption. The Messenger Secret Conversations Technical Whitepaper explains the concept in more detail: “Secret Conversations relies upon the Signal Protocol. Messenger uses Signal Protocol’s implementation as available in the opensource libsignal-protocol-java and libsignal-protocol-c libraries for Android and iOS respectively.”

How do I start a Secret Conversation in Facebook Messenger?

A secret conversation is available only on Messenger for Android and iOS users. That means that you won’t see them on your desktop when you are logged in to your Facebook account. Currently, you can send text, photo and stickers in secret conversations. Videos, payments, GIFs, group chats and voice calls are not yet available in the Secret Mode. To start an end-to-end encrypted conversation, open your Messenger and follow these steps:

To start a secret conversation:

Secret Conversation for iOS

1. From the
   
   tab, tap
   
2. Tap Secret in the top right
3. Select who you want to message
4. If you want, tap in the text box and set a timer to make the messages disappear

For even more security, encrypt your entire connection with Avast SecureLine VPN.  (You can try it for free.)

All of Facebook's 900 million Messenger users can now have secret conversations that can be set to self-destruct. Facebook began testing end-to-end encryption on its Messenger app in July and has now completed the rollout.

"Your messages and calls on Messenger already benefit from strong security systems — Messenger uses secure communications channels," wrote Facebook in a blog post announcing the update.

"We’ve heard from you that there are times when you want additional safeguards — perhaps when discussing private information like an illness or a health issue with trusted friends and family, or sending financial information to an accountant."

What are Facebook Secret Conversations?

The service uses the Signal Protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems. It adds end-to-end encryption to messages making it theoretically impossible for them to be intercepted.

Both you and the other person in the secret conversation have a device key that you can use to verify the messages are end-to-end encrypted and you can also set a timer to have your messages disappear from the conversation.

Secret Conversations is an opt-in feature that lets users encrypt their messages so only the people involved in the chat – not Facebook, law enforcement or intelligence agencies – can see the conversation. The fact it is not enabled by default, however, has been criticised by privacy campaigners.

How to start a Secret Conversation?

After you've update your Messenger app, you'll see a “secret” option on the top right of the “new message” screen.

From the home tab tap Secret in the top right-hand corner and select who you want to message. You can set the message to self-destruct by tapping the clock icon in the text box and by setting the timer.

Secret conversations are currently only available in the Messenger app on iOS and Android, so they won't appear on Facebook chat or messenger.com. They're also only visible on the device where you create the conversation and the device the recipient uses to open the conversation.

How to switch devices

To change which device you use for secret conversations, start a new secret conversation from the new device. Be warned though that by changing devices, previous secret conversations will no longer be visible on your old device or your new device.

How to delete Secret Conversations

To delete all secret conversations, tap the profile icon, select Secret Conversations and choose Delete Secret Conversations and Delete All. The messages will still be visible on your friend's device.

How to check your messages are encrypted

Whenm Secret Conversations are enabled, both people in the secret conversation have a device key. This can be compared to verify that the messages are end-to-end encrypted. Facebook said that this verification process is optional and the messages will be encrypted whether or not you compare device keys.

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