The Instagram app is also adding encrypted messages as a privacy protection measure. EFE/Sascha Steinbach
An upcoming Instagram update may include a special feature for the private messaging section to set a PIN on specific devices, as well as add end-to-end encrypted conversations within the platform.
According to mobile device engineer and developer Alessandro Paluzzi, this access code for direct messages on the social network will be used as an additional protection for messages that will be blocked and other users will not be able to read them if they are read. I don’t have the correct code..
According to a screenshot seen on Paluzzi’s Twitter account, Instagram indicates that “end-to-end encryption means that only you and the person you’re writing to can access your messages.” It also indicated that the two-way encryption feature on Instagram will be expanded to more conversations in the coming months.
Instagram will add security options for direct messages within the app. (Twitter/@alex193a)
As for the option to set a PIN, the Meta social network indicates that it will allow secure access to the “desired devices” section of the notification.
However, it is not yet known whether the encryption of messages will have to be manually activated by the user or if this will be the standard for all communication through the application. It is also not specified whether the PIN code will be determined each time to unlock the conversation, or if it must be entered to access the messages section.
Instagram won’t be the only Meta app to introduce a PIN code as part of implementing security measures to access messages. WhatsApp has already implemented this feature in its systems, although it is designed more as part of two-step verification.
The instant messaging app has a specific security option called two-step verification, which involves setting a maximum 6-digit PIN code that is randomly displayed from time to time to confirm that the device the person is using has authorized access to the account.
Notification about enabling two-step verification in WhatsApp (WABetaInfo)
Users can enable this feature from the settings menu, then select the account option and then click on the two-step verification option. If a person has already activated this feature and wants to turn it off, the access path is the same, with the difference that at the end you click on the “Disable” option.
The same steps apply to changing the PIN in the messaging platform.
In future updates to the WhatsApp system, WABetaInfo indicated that the notification system would be enabled through pop-ups to set reminders for users to enable two-step verification using PIN access.
While security is important to the platform, which is why the developers have begun beta testing this feature, the new notification will feature “Set up now” and “Skip” buttons, so the feature will be presented as an option rather than a requirement to protect a user’s account.
Since this is a security system, WhatsApp recommends that it be activated and that you do not forget the number set with a password.
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