Facebook calling allows users to make audio and video calls over the Facebook platform. As with any communication tool, security and privacy are major concerns for users. In this article, we will examine the security of Facebook calling and look at the measures Facebook has in place to protect calls.
How does Facebook calling work?
Facebook calling utilizes the user’s existing Facebook account and connections. To make a call, a user simply selects a Facebook friend from their contacts list either on the Facebook website or in the Facebook mobile app. The app then connects the two users via audio or video calling.
Calls made through Facebook are facilitated using the WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) protocol. This allows peer-to-peer connections between users without requiring an external plugin or download. WebRTC connections are encrypted using DTLS-SRTP, which is the same technology used by other secure calling apps like WhatsApp.
Is Facebook calling end-to-end encrypted?
End-to-end encryption is an important security feature for communication apps and services. It means that calls are encrypted on the sender’s device and only decrypted on the recipient’s device. This prevents third parties, including the service provider itself, from accessing call contents.
Facebook calling is unfortunately not end-to-end encrypted. While calls are encrypted in transit using WebRTC’s encryption, Facebook has the cryptographic keys to decrypt calls if required. This means Facebook could theoretically access call contents, even though they claim not to.
What security measures does Facebook have in place?
Although Facebook calling is not end-to-end encrypted, Facebook does have some other security measures in place to protect calls:
- WebRTC media streams are encrypted with DTLS-SRTP as mentioned above.
- Calls that connect through Facebook’s servers have additional transport layer security.
- Facebook enforces strict internal data policies to prevent unauthorized employee access to call data.
- Call metadata like duration and participants is protected the same way as other Facebook user data.
So while Facebook could technically access call contents, they claim that strong internal access controls prevent this from happening without proper authorization and review.
How does Facebook calling security compare to others?
Here’s how Facebook calling security compares to some other major calling providers:
| Service | End-to-End Encryption | Other Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Messenger | No | DTLS-SRTP for media, TLS for signaling |
| Yes | Signal protocol | |
| FaceTime | Yes | TLS |
| Zoom | No | TLS + AES-256 encryption |
As you can see, Facebook Messenger lacks end-to-end encryption unlike some competitors like WhatsApp and FaceTime. However, it does still provide encryption in transit via WebRTC.
Is Facebook calling safe from government surveillance?
The lack of end-to-end encryption means Facebook calling is likely not safe from government surveillance. If served with a valid legal order, Facebook could be compelled to provide decrypted call contents to law enforcement or intelligence agencies.
By contrast, truly end-to-end encrypted services like WhatsApp and FaceTime have designed their systems so that they themselves cannot decrypt user communications and therefore could not comply with surveillance demands.
So while Facebook calling provides protection against external hackers, it does not provide the same level of protection against government surveillance that you would get from an e2e encrypted service.
Can calls be intercepted by hackers?
It is unlikely that calls made through Facebook’s native calling feature could be intercepted and decrypted by external hackers or bad actors. As mentioned above, WebRTC provides strong encryption in transit to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. And Facebook’s infrastructure provides additional transport layer security as well.
However, calls could theoretically be intercepted by sophisticated nation-state level attackers like intelligence agencies. But average individual hackers are unlikely to have the capability to exploit Facebook’s calling encryption.
Tips for using Facebook calling securely
If you want to use Facebook calling with maximum security, here are some tips:
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account – this adds an extra layer of account security.
- Be wary of using Facebook calling on public WiFi networks – use a VPN if possible to encrypt the network connection.
- Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Facebook app for any security patches.
- Don’t discuss sensitive topics assuming Facebook calling is 100% private.
- For maximum security, use an end-to-end encrypted alternative like FaceTime or Signal for very sensitive calls.
Conclusion
Facebook calling provides a convenient way to connect with your Facebook contacts using your existing account. However, it lacks true end-to-end encryption, unlike some competitors.
Encryption is in place to secure calls in transit and Facebook has internal data policies to prevent unauthorized access. But users should be aware that Facebook calling likely does not provide protection against government surveillance if legal orders are obtained.
For casual everyday use, Facebook calling has reasonable security. But for discussing highly sensitive topics, an end-to-end encrypted service would provide greater security and privacy.
To recap, the main points around security of Facebook calling are:
- Not end-to-end encrypted – Facebook can access call contents
- Still encrypted in transit via WebRTC
- Extra transport layer security when connecting through Facebook servers
- Unlikely to be intercepted by average hackers
- Can potentially be intercepted by government agencies
- Use two-factor authentication and latest app version for better security
While not completely secure, Facebook calling still provides a reasonable level of privacy for most non-sensitive conversations. But users seeking maximum security may want to opt for an end-to-end encrypted alternative instead.
Overall, Facebook calling is relatively secure against external threats, but lacks protection from the service provider itself or government surveillance. Users should weigh these factors themselves when evaluating if Facebook calling meets their specific communication privacy needs.
Other Facebook calling security questions
Here are answers to some other common security related questions around Facebook calling:
Can Facebook listen to my calls?
Technically yes, since calls are not end-to-end encrypted. However, Facebook claims they do not listen to or access contents of users’ calls without specific authorization and review by their legal and security teams.
Can I use Facebook calling on a VPN?
Yes, Facebook calling will work fine over a VPN connection. The VPN will encrypt all network traffic between your device and the VPN server, providing an extra layer of security when using public WiFi networks.
Is Facebook calling safe for teens?
Facebook calling has reasonable security protections in place. However, parents may still want to monitor teens’ use of any communication tool. Open conversations about responsible online behavior are recommended. For maximum security, services with end-to-end encryption could be considered.
Can Facebook calling be hacked with spyware?
Potentially yes, if spyware is able to infect a user’s device it could potentially intercept audio and video from calls. This underscores the importance of keeping devices clean from malware and not jailbreaking or rooting phones, which disables security protections.
Are group calls secure?
The same security principles apply to one-on-one and group calls made through Facebook. Group calls have the same WebRTC and transport layer encryption applied. However, any potential risks are amplified since more users are involved in group conversations.
Encryption key points
To recap some key facts around Facebook calling encryption:
- Not end-to-end encrypted – Facebook holds the keys to decrypt calls
- WebRTC SRTP encryption secures calls in transit between users
- Extra transport layer security applied when calls traverse Facebook servers
- Similar level of encryption as apps like Skype, Zoom, not as secure as WhatsApp or FaceTime
- Reasonable protection against external threats, but not government demands
So in summary, Facebook calling provides solid security against average hackers and eavesdroppers but lacks protection against government surveillance that true end-to-end encryption would provide.
Comparing Facebook calling to alternatives
How does Facebook calling stack up security-wise against some common alternatives for making voice and video calls?
Vs. WhatsApp
WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol to provide complete end-to-end encryption for calls. This makes it more secure than Facebook Messenger against potential government demands. WhatsApp call contents cannot be accessed even by WhatsApp itself.
Vs. FaceTime
Like WhatsApp, FaceTime also offers true end-to-end encryption for calls. This provides the maximum security and privacy from third parties, including Apple themselves.
Vs. Zoom
Zoom uses strong encryption (TLS + AES 256) to secure calls in transit similar to Facebook. However, Zoom does not provide end-to-end encryption. So like Facebook, Zoom can theoretically access call contents if required.
Vs. Skype
Skype also relies on encryption in transit like TLS and SRTP rather than end-to-end encryption. Microsoft could potentially access Skype call contents. So Skype’s security posture is similar to Facebook calling.
In summary, while alternatives like WhatsApp and FaceTime are more secure due to their end-to-end encryption, Facebook calling still provides strong security against most external threats and attacks when using the service responsibly.
Facebook calling security checklist
Here is a quick checklist to keep in mind when using Facebook calling for maximum security and privacy:
- ✓ Enable two-factor authentication
- ✓ Update to latest Facebook app version
- ✓ Use over secure WiFi or VPN connection
- ✓ Don’t discuss highly sensitive topics
- ✓ Be mindful of government surveillance abilities
- ✓ Educate teens on safe usage
- ✓ Consider end-to-end encrypted alternative like WhatsApp or FaceTime for maximum security
Following these tips will help keep your Facebook calls as secure as possible given the service’s protections.
The future of Facebook calling security
Facebook has hinted that they are considering expanding end-to-end encryption across more of their messaging services in the future, which would include Facebook calling if implemented.
Expanding e2e encryption would provide much stronger security guarantees around Facebook calling and assure users that not even Facebook itself could access call contents.
However, Facebook will likely face challenges from governments who argue the move would empower criminals and restrict law enforcement access. But overall, implementing end-to-end encryption would significantly improve the security and privacy of Facebook calls.
Until end-to-end encryption is rolled out, users should be aware that Facebook calling does not provide the same level of encryption security as some competitors. But the service still utilizes strong WebRTC and transport layer encryption to keep calls safe from most external threats.
Conclusion
Facebook calling provides a convenient way to make voice and video calls through your existing Facebook account and contacts. However, it lacks the end-to-end encryption offered by some competing services.
Encryption is in place to secure calls from eavesdropping and external threats. But Facebook themselves can access call contents if required by legal demands. Users should keep this in mind when using Facebook calling.
Overall, Facebook calling has reasonable security for everyday use. But those seeking maximum protection may want to opt for an end-to-end encrypted alternative instead.
Using Facebook calling safely comes down to being aware of its limitations, enabling account security protections, and avoiding highly sensitive topics. Responsible usage provides reasonable security against common external threats.
