Meta What is the announcement? That it’s introducing more features to end-to-end encrypted chats that you already love and use in normal, unencrypted Messenger conversations. New features include chat themes, custom chat emojis and reactions, group profile photos, link preview, active status and Android bubbles.
In addition to these features, Metta says more people will see individual chats being end-to-end encrypted. This won’t happen to all of your chats as the company wants to do some testing, but don’t be surprised to see some of your chats affected. He said millions of people around the world would be affected by the change in the coming months.
The new features are enhanced by Meta below:
- Chat Themes: We’ve added chat themes to help personalize and enhance your interactions in end-to-end encrypted chats. Tired of a plain background? Can’t wait to show off your Swifty credentials with the Midnights theme? You can now set themes, including static colors and gradient themes, for end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Custom chat emojis and reactions: Want to personalize your reply? You can view the full menu of emoji reactions and customize the quick reaction tray in end-to-end encrypted chats.
- Group Profile Photo: Choose group profile photos for different chats with friends or work colleagues.
- Link Preview: We’ve redesigned the link preview for end-to-end encrypted chats so you can see where a link is taking you before you click on it.
- Active state: Let people see when you’re active, so they know when it’s a good time to call. You can also choose to turn off this feature if you want to improve your privacy.
- Bubbles on Android: Bubbles (the circle with your friend’s picture) lets you read and reply to messages while using other apps. Once enabled, a bubble will appear when you receive a new message.
Meta said that if any of your conversations are converted into end-to-end encrypted chats, you should know that it was randomly selected so that “there is no negative impact.” [its] Infrastructure and People’s Chat Experience”.
