element-web/docs/e2ee.md

End to end encryption by default

By default, Element will create encrypted DM rooms if the user you are chatting with has keys uploaded on their account. For private room creation, Element will default to encryption on but give you the choice to opt-out.

Disabling encryption by default

Set the following on your homeserver's /.well-known/matrix/client config:

{
  "im.vector.e2ee": {
    "default": false
  }
}

Compatibility

The settings above were first proposed under a im.vector.riot.e2ee key, which is now deprecated. Element will check for either key, preferring im.vector.e2ee if both exist.