End-to-End Bakal Encryption Features Present In Google Messages Group Chat

Illustration of Google Messages Photo (Photo: dock. Google)

JAKARTA - Google will soon bring end-to-end encryption for group chats on the Messages app, making group conversations much safer. Previously, Google Messages only offered end-to-end encryption for one-on-one conversations. But Google said it would soon roll out end-to-end encryption for group chats to some users.

According to Google's announcement, the feature will initially be piloted for users who are listed in the open beta program over the coming weeks.

The company has not provided a release schedule for all Google Messages users. However, end-to-end encryption for group chats is expected to reach all users before the end of the year.

Along with the announcement of the end-to-end encryption feature, Google took the opportunity to once again embarrass its biggest competitor in the mobile phone's operating system (OS) world, Apple, for supporting SMS rather than RCS.

The RCS or Rich Communication Services protocol is the successor to SMS and MMS on Android, but it's unlikely that Apple will adopt it on iOS.

Messages application product manager, Neena Budhirja stated that SMS does not allow end-to-end encryption like RCS does. RCS also allows increased SMS capabilities, such as viewing real-time typing indicators and read receipts.

In addition, Google is also updating the reaction feature in the Messages app that allows users to react to RCS messages with any emoji.

The ability to react to RCS messages rolled out on the beta channel late last month and will be available to all users on the stable channel in the coming days.

Earlier this year, Google launched a Get the Message campaign to pressure Apple to adopt RCS. But Apple, however, has made it clear they are not interested in turning to RCS when it has added many features to its own iMessage app.

Launching ZDNet, Saturday, December 3, Apple CEO Tim Cook last September suggested that if you are an Android user who is not happy with the SMS experience between Apple and Android devices, you should buy an iPhone.