Google is testing end-to-end encryption for group chats within the Messages app • TechCrunch

Google mentioned in the present day it’s testing end-to-end encryption for RCS-based group chats on its Messages app — RCS stands for Wealthy Communication Companies. The corporate famous that it will likely be rolling out this function to pick customers which might be a part of the app’s open beta program within the coming weeks.

This comes after a bunch of Redditors seen that Google was testing end-to-end encryption for group chats in October. The corporate’s newest announcement makes it official.

The search large first began testing end-to-end encryption for particular person RCS chats in 2020. In June, it rolled out the function to all customers of its Messages app.

Google has been pushing producers and carriers to undertake RCS — a hypercharged model of SMS with options like typing indicators, supply, and skim receipts. It has been additionally operating campaigns to persuade Apple to undertake this commonplace for its personal Messages app. This manner, of us utilizing Android would have the ability to ship wealthy multimedia messages with higher photographs and movies to their buddies utilizing iPhones.

Whereas Apple hasn’t budged but, Google didn’t miss an opportunity to nudge the Cupertino-based tech large as soon as once more with the brand new announcement.

“At the moment, all the main cellular carriers and producers have adopted RCS as the usual – aside from Apple. Apple refuses to undertake RCS and continues to depend on SMS when folks with iPhones message folks with Android telephones, which implies their texting is caught within the Nineties,” Neena Budhiraja, group product supervisor for the Messages app, mentioned in a weblog put up.

“Hopefully, Apple can #GetTheMessage so we don’t need to preserve ready to take away the entire ‘green-versus-blue bubble’ factor. Glad birthday, SMS – you have been an amazing begin, and also you had a superb run, however everybody is prepared for an improve.”

Google has additionally tried to bridge the expertise throughout two working techniques by including options like response help for iPhone texts.