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end-to-end encrypted

A message or other communication is end-to-end encrypted when its contents are encrypted so that only the sender and the intended recipient or recipients can read them, and not the service carrying it or any other intermediary.

In plain English

Its readable content is kept private between the people it is meant for. While the communication is being carried, the service carrying it and other middle parties cannot read what it says. Only the sender and the intended recipient or recipients can read the contents.

In context

In this use, it reports that the conversation's contents are readable only by the sender and the intended recipient or recipients, not by the service carrying it or other intermediaries.

Situation
Understanding encryption, privacy, data-sharing, and secure-connection labels
What it communicates
reports a conversation protection state

Meaning limits

By itself, this term addresses who can read the communication's contents, not every aspect of privacy or security.

Examples

“Her note was end-to-end encrypted, so only she and her sister could read it, not the service carrying it or anyone relaying it.”

Core meaning

“For the travel details, they used an end-to-end encrypted chat.”

In context