Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8). On Wednesday, Meta said that the end-to-end encryption feature would be available for use immediately. However, it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to be updated with default end-to-end encryption.

Encryption hides the contents of a message from anyone apart from the sender and the recipient by converting text and images into unreadable cyphers that are unscrambled on receipt. Meta has argued that encryption can help keep users safe from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals.

However, prosecutors and child safety groups said that the encryption would hamstring the rescue of child sex trafficking victims and the prosecution of predators.

The Guardian report on Friday said that social media companies have been legally obligated to send any evidence of child sexual abuse material they detect to the United States' National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children (NCMEC). From here, the evidence is forwarded to relevant domestic and international law enforcement agencies.

An NCMEC spokesperson said that encryption on platforms "without the ability to detect known child sexual abuse material and create actionable reports will immediately cripple online child protection as we know it."

“NCMEC anticipates the number of reports of suspected child sexual abuse from the larger reporting companies will plummet by close to 80 per cent,” the spokesperson added.

Ali Burns, an assistant US attorney in Illinois, also told the publication that the identification and rescue of exploited children would be made more difficult by encryption, as investigators would often only be able to identify victims by gaining access to a suspect’s social media accounts and private messages.

“It would make it more challenging to corroborate evidence, to be able to verify. I can see this being a challenge for law enforcement,” Burns added.

Civil groups, however, argued that encryption protects individuals’ data and free expression, the report said.

In October, the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit human rights organisation, said, "This level of security not only protects individuals from cyber-attacks but also empowers citizens to communicate freely without fear of surveillance, censorship, and warrantless searches – whether by the government, Big Tech, data brokers, or anyone else."

(With inputs from agencies)

Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8).

Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8). On Wednesday, Meta said that the end-to-end encryption feature would be available for use immediately. However, it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to be updated with default end-to-end encryption. Encryption hides the contents of a message from anyone apart from the sender and the recipient by converting text and images into unreadable cyphers that are unscrambled on receipt. Meta has argued that encryption can help keep users safe from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals. However, prosecutors and child safety groups said that the encryption would hamstring the rescue of child sex trafficking victims and the prosecution of predators. The Guardian report on Friday said that social media companies have been legally obligated to send any evidence of child sexual abuse material they detect to the United States' National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). From here, the evidence is forwarded to relevant domestic and international law enforcement agencies. An NCMEC spokesperson said that encryption on platforms "without the ability to detect known child sexual abuse material and create actionable reports will immediately cripple online child protection as we know it." “NCMEC anticipates the number of reports of suspected child sexual abuse from the larger reporting companies will plummet by close to 80 per cent,” the spokesperson added. Ali Burns, an assistant US attorney in Illinois, also told the publication that the identification and rescue of exploited children would be made more difficult by encryption, as investigators would often only be able to identify victims by gaining access to a suspect’s social media accounts and private messages. “It would make it more challenging to corroborate evidence, to be able to verify. I can see this being a challenge for law enforcement,” Burns added. Civil groups, however, argued that encryption protects individuals’ data and free expression, the report said. In October, the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit human rights organisation, said, "This level of security not only protects individuals from cyber-attacks but also empowers citizens to communicate freely without fear of surveillance, censorship, and warrantless searches – whether by the government, Big Tech, data brokers, or anyone else." (With inputs from agencies)

Meta's decision to encrypt messages on Facebook, Messenger criticised. Here's why

Twitter CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features.&nbsp;

The popular micro-blogging platform was among the Forbes top 10 global apps with the most monthly active users in 2022. Twitter also said earlier this week that it will start a cleansing process by removing and archiving accounts that have been inactive for several years.

“With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly," Elon Musk tweeted.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-will-ban-anonymous-accounts-on-social-media-government-decree-likely-590723">Vietnam will ban anonymous accounts on social media, government decree likely</a>

“The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if there was a gun to my head. Coming soon will be voice and video chat from your handle to anyone on this platform, so you can talk to people anywhere in the world without giving them your phone number," he added.

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With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. 
 
Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly. The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1656084243905384449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, Musk announced plans for ‘Twitter 2.0 The Everything App’, which could allow long-form tweets, payments, and encrypted direct messages.&nbsp;

Direct messaging will be available on Twitter starting from Wednesday. However, it’s not clear if calls will be encrypted as well.&nbsp;

Talking about the two new features, Twitter Support wrote, “Introducing DM Replies! You can now reply to any message you receive in DMs, making conversations smoother and more intuitive.”

Watch |&nbsp;Elon Musk spearheads Twitter's 'cleanup' campaign

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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The app will also add a new Emoji Picker to DMs, like other apps, which will allow users to react to messages with a wider range of emojis.&nbsp;

Twitter Support added that the platform is working on improving these features while asking for suggestions from Twitter users regarding the new features.&nbsp;

Some new features added and removed to Twitter in recent past

$8 for blue tick

On November 1 last year, Musk announced that it will now charge users $8 per month for a blue checkmark on the app. The option to pay for a blue tick was revoked&nbsp;after a slew of fake accounts impersonating celebrities and brands paid for the feature and tweeted false information. The subscription was relaunched later.

Edit button

On September 1, 2022, Twitter announced that it has started testing the ‘edit button.’ This feature will allow users to alter the tweets within 30 minutes after they are published.&nbsp;

Twitter circle

Twitter Circle, announced in May 2022 allows users to share content with a smaller audience. The feature allows users to choose up to 150 people who will be able to view their tweets when using the feature. This feature appears to be the same as Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features. The popular micro-blogging platform was among the Forbes top 10 global apps with the most monthly active users in 2022. Twitter also said earlier this week that it will start a cleansing process by removing and archiving accounts that have been inactive for several years. “With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly," Elon Musk tweeted. Also Read | Vietnam will ban anonymous accounts on social media, government decree likely “The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if there was a gun to my head. Coming soon will be voice and video chat from your handle to anyone on this platform, so you can talk to people anywhere in the world without giving them your phone number," he added. With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly. The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if… — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2023 × Earlier, Musk announced plans for ‘Twitter 2.0 The Everything App’, which could allow long-form tweets, payments, and encrypted direct messages. Direct messaging will be available on Twitter starting from Wednesday. However, it’s not clear if calls will be encrypted as well. Talking about the two new features, Twitter Support wrote, “Introducing DM Replies! You can now reply to any message you receive in DMs, making conversations smoother and more intuitive.” Watch | Elon Musk spearheads Twitter's 'cleanup' campaign × The app will also add a new Emoji Picker to DMs, like other apps, which will allow users to react to messages with a wider range of emojis. Twitter Support added that the platform is working on improving these features while asking for suggestions from Twitter users regarding the new features. Some new features added and removed to Twitter in recent past $8 for blue tick On November 1 last year, Musk announced that it will now charge users $8 per month for a blue checkmark on the app. The option to pay for a blue tick was revoked after a slew of fake accounts impersonating celebrities and brands paid for the feature and tweeted false information. The subscription was relaunched later. Edit button On September 1, 2022, Twitter announced that it has started testing the ‘edit button.’ This feature will allow users to alter the tweets within 30 minutes after they are published. Twitter circle Twitter Circle, announced in May 2022 allows users to share content with a smaller audience. The feature allows users to choose up to 150 people who will be able to view their tweets when using the feature. This feature appears to be the same as Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Twitter 2.0? Musk says Twitter to soon allow voice & video calls, encrypt messaging

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Meta's decision to encrypt messages on Facebook, Messenger criticised. Here's why

Twitter 2.0? Musk says Twitter to soon allow voice & video calls, encrypt messaging