# E2E Encryption

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. Rocket.Chat uses this to prevent potential eavesdroppers.

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**IMPORTANT:** **E2E encryption functionality is currently in beta** and includes notable restrictions that workspace owners should carefully consider before activating this feature for production use as follow:

* E2E encrypted messages will not appear in search operations
* Bots or other ancillary systems interacting via webhooks or REST API will not be able to read E2EE encrypted messages
* File uploads are not encrypted
* Rocket.Chat enables users to reset their private E2EE key to avoid permanent data loss during the beta period.
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To access this setting, go to **Administration** > **Workspace** > **Settings** > **E2E Encryption**.

* **Enabled**: When set to true, users can create encrypted rooms and change rooms and direct messages to be encrypted.
* **Enable encryption for Direct Rooms by default**: When set to true, direct rooms will be encrypted by default.
* **Enable encryption for Private Rooms by default**: When enabled, private rooms will be encrypted by default.

{% content-ref url="../../user-guides/security-bundle/end-to-end-encryption-user-guide" %}
[end-to-end-encryption-user-guide](https://funke-olasupo.gitbook.io/user-guide/6.5/use-rocket.chat/user-guides/security-bundle/end-to-end-encryption-user-guide)
{% endcontent-ref %}