Meta Platforms Inc. announced that it has started implementing end-to-end encryption for all conversations and personal calls on Messenger and Facebook, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing Agerpres.

The end-to-end encryption feature will be available immediately, the social media giant said, but it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to update with this end-to-end encryption by default.

Previously, Messenger left users with the option to activate end-to-end encryption, which allows only the sender and their recipients to read messages, but with this change, messages will be encrypted by default, Meta said.

Meta, whose WhatsApp platform already encrypts messages, said the measure could help protect users from hackers, quacks and other criminals.

Mark Zuckerberg’s company is rolling out message encryption after another big change for European users

For Facebook users in Europe, it will be the second big change in as many months, after the Mark Zuckerberg-led company announced in late October that it would introduce paid subscriptions in line with European Union rules.

However, the European authorities rejected this measure and, most likely, it will be decided in court.

End-to-end encryption has been a point of contention between companies and governments. In September, the British government asked Meta not to use encryption on Instagram and Facebook Messenger without safeguards to protect children from sexual abuse.

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