World News – AU – Google is working on end-to-end encryption for the messaging app

It took years, but today Google announced that RCS Messaging is now available globally – anyone with an Android phone using the Google Messages app can take advantage of the feature. If you don’t remember, RCS stands for Rich Communications Services and it’s a major upgrade to the essential SMS features that phones have enjoyed for years. RCS features include improved video and photo quality, seeing when chats are being read, sending and receiving messages via WiFI, and improved capabilities for group chats and message feedback.. Basically, many of the features supported in standalone messaging programs like Facebook’s Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp should be available to anyone using the Google Messages app..

After completing its global rollout, Google announced another important upcoming feature for RCS: end-to-end encryption. It is not fully available yet; Google said encryption in one-on-one conversations using RCS will begin rolling out to beta testers this month and will continue to reach more people early next year.. « Eligible » messages will be automatically encrypted, and both participants will need to use the Google Messages app with chat features turned on. While Google hasn’t said when the feature will exit beta, Messages appears to have an open beta that you can subscribe here – meaning you’ll get it sooner rather than later..

Rich Communications Services, Messaging, Google, Messaging Applications, End-to-End Encryption