Social media platforms removed end-to-end encryption to reduce legal risk
This move shows how legal liability for product design choices can force platforms to degrade core privacy features, threatening user security and marginalized communities that rely on encryption.
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Meta and YouTube’s recent losses in youth social media addiction cases may put artists and activists at risk
Meta was found liable for platform design harms and subsequently removed end-to-end encryption from Instagram messaging, illustrating how legal rulings can force platforms to degrade privacy features. Meta was found liable in New Mexico for concealing knowledge of child exploitation within its messaging features. Meta removed end-to-end encryption from Instagram messaging following the verdict.