diff --git a/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0280.py b/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0280.py
index ffdeb896..a8041876 100755
--- a/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0280.py
+++ b/src/plugins/plugin_xep_0280.py
@@ -39,14 +39,14 @@ PARAM_LABEL = D_(u"Message carbons")
 NS_CARBONS = 'urn:xmpp:carbons:2'
 
 PLUGIN_INFO = {
-    "name": "XEP-0280 Plugin",
-    "import_name": "XEP-0280",
-    "type": "XEP",
-    "protocols": ["XEP-0280"],
+    "name": u"XEP-0280 Plugin",
+    "import_name": u"XEP-0280",
+    "type": u"XEP",
+    "protocols": [u"XEP-0280"],
     "dependencies": [],
-    "main": "XEP_0280",
-    "handler": "yes",
-    "description": _("""Implementation of Message Carbons""")
+    "main": u"XEP_0280",
+    "handler": u"yes",
+    "description": D_(u"""Implementation of Message Carbons""")
 }
 
 
@@ -79,6 +79,18 @@ class XEP_0280(object):
     def getHandler(self, profile):
         return XEP_0280_handler()
 
+    def setPrivate(self, message_elt):
+        """Add a <private/> element to a message
+
+        this method is intented to be called on final domish.Element by other plugins
+        (in particular end 2 end encryption plugins)
+        @param message_elt(domish.Element): <message> stanza
+        """
+        if message_elt.name != u'message':
+            log.error(u"addPrivateElt must be used with <message> stanzas")
+            return
+        message_elt.addElement((NS_CARBONS, u'private'))
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def profileConnected(self, profile):
         """activate message carbons on connection if possible and activated in config"""