Paul Stenhouse: An update for Google Maps and Meta's axing of end-to-end encryption on Instagram DMs

Google Maps is getting a new look   Google Maps is getting it's biggest update in over a decade with the launch of “Immersive Navigation”. The new view places you in a 3D space with a view of the road features, buildings and terrain around you – almost making it look like a video game. It has smart zooms and transparent buildings to give you a better look at what’s coming up on your drive, including potentially tricky merges and turns, and better highlighting of things like traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. It starts in the US, and will roll out to iOS and Android devices, and CarPlay and Android Auto.     A surprise reversal from Meta – Instagram chats will no longer be encrypted   From May 8th, chats will no longer be encrypted. You'll have until then to download them, or I assume they'll be deleted by Meta. Meta’s decision to dismantle the encryption feature comes against the backdrop of increasing concerns surrounding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. By eliminating end-to-end encryption, the company will be able to monitor direct messages and calls on Instagram for any content relating to CSAM, grooming, or related harassment.   There are lots of open questions and I'm surprised this hasn't been picked up by more outlets. What was behind the move? Are laws such as the EU’s Chat Control regulation and the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 pushing them away from E2E encryption?  Messenger just got E2E encryption – so what happens to that now? WhatsApp has had it for some time, and is a core feature of the product – will that also go? Could this be to do with how the services are classified under various international laws?   Some odd things are happening at Meta. They are bringing Messenger back inside Facebook, effectively killing it as a standalone product and having more like the FB Messages of old.      LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.