diff --git a/glance/common/config.py b/glance/common/config.py
index 316874fc44..78313ddeb7 100644
--- a/glance/common/config.py
+++ b/glance/common/config.py
@@ -491,6 +491,16 @@ Related options:
 
 """)),
     cfg.StrOpt('metadata_encryption_key',
+               deprecated_for_removal=True,
+               deprecated_since="Dalmatian",
+               deprecated_reason=_("""
+This option doesnt serves the purpose of encryption of location metadata,
+whereas it encrypts location url only for specific APIs. Also if enabled
+this during an upgrade may disrupt existing deployments, as it does not
+support/provide db upgrade script to encrypt existing location URLs.
+Moreover, its functionality for encrypting location URLs is inconsistent
+which is resulting in download failures.
+"""),
                secret=True,
                help=_("""
 AES key for encrypting store location metadata.
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/deprecate_metadata_encryption_key_option-8c6076ca6e361f92.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/deprecate_metadata_encryption_key_option-8c6076ca6e361f92.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4006b2a751
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/deprecate_metadata_encryption_key_option-8c6076ca6e361f92.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+deprecations:
+  - |
+    The Glance API configuration options ``metadata_encryption_key`` is
+    deprecated in this release and is subject to removal at the beginning
+    of the `F` (2025.2) development cycle.
+
+    The `metadata_encryption_key` and it's related functioanlity don't
+    serve the purpose of encryption of location metadata, whereas it encrypts
+    location url only for specific APIs. Also if enabled this during an
+    upgrade, may disrupt existing deployments, as it does not support/provide
+    db upgrade script to encrypt existing location URLs. Moreover, its
+    functionality for encrypting location URLs is inconsistent which
+    resulting in download failures.
+