On May 8, Instagram will be able to read your DMs again. Meta is ending support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages — reversing a feature it introduced just two years ago — and reopening the door to automated content scanning, AI-powered moderation, and easier compliance with law enforcement requests. TikTok, meanwhile, confirmed it never offered the protection at all. Together, the moves signal that the era of unconditional privacy promises on social media is over.
In the span of two weeks, two of the world’s largest social media platforms have signaled they are done treating privacy as an unconditional promise. Together, the moves mark a decisive reckoning with what private messaging on social media actually costs—and who pays the price.
