Here's how to access secret conversations on Messenger

UPDATE DAY

Driven by competition, Facebook is updating its Messenger app to include end-to-end encryption of communications. 

This means that messages are intended only for you and the other person – and no one else, including Facebook. Within a secret chat, you can also choose to set a timer to control how long each message you send remains visible within the chat. Facebook uses the Signal protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems.

To start a secret conversation, a PIN must be created.

On the downside to this protocol, secret conversations do not support so-called rich content.

A personal identification number must be created

How to access the secret messaging settings < /h3>

To access the Privacy tab in Messenger: 

1. Open your Messenger app. 
2. In Chats, tap your profile picture in the top left. 
3. In the menu, tap Privacy.  

From the Privacy tab, you will find the Secret Conversations setting where your messages will be end-to-end encrypted.

Be aware that this feature is not available on the Messenger software on your computer, only on mobile applications of Android, iPhone and iPad devices.

It will be possible to secretly send messages, images, stickers, videos and voice recordings. However, group messages, GIF animations, voice and video calls and payments are not supported.

To check the encryption of a conversation, open the encrypted chat, click on the name person at the top of the screen, then click End-to-end encryption keys. Encryption keys must match on both devices. A padlock symbol appears next to the name of the correspondent.

With this encrypted messaging, Messenger is catching up with competing applications that have offered it for a long time.