Google said today that it is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS-based group chat in its messaging application, which stands for the GSM Association Rich Communication Services solution. The company noted that it will roll out the feature to select users participating in an open beta program for the application in the coming weeks.
This comes after a group of Reddit users noticed that Google was testing end-to-end encryption for group chats in October, and the company’s latest announcement makes it official.
The search giant first began testing end-to-end encryption for individual RCS chats in 2020. in June, it rolled out the feature to all users of its messaging app.
Google has been pushing manufacturers and carriers to adopt RCS – a supercharged version of text messaging with features such as instructions when to type, pass and read credentials – and Google has been campaigning to convince Apple to adopt the standard for its own messaging app. That way, people using Android would be able to send rich multimedia messages with better photos and videos to their friends using iPhones (no more SMS green bubbles, at least). While Apple hasn’t budged yet, Google isn’t missing the opportunity to spur the Cupertino-based tech giant again with today’s new feature release.
“Today, all major mobile operators and manufacturers have adopted RCS as the standard – except Apple. Apple’s refusal to adopt RCS continues to rely on text messaging when people with iPhones message people with Android phones, meaning their texting is stuck in the 1990s,” Neena Budhiraja, group product manager for messaging apps, said in a blog post.
“Hopefully Apple will #GetTheMessage so we don’t have to keep waiting to eliminate the whole ‘green and blue bubble’ embarrassment. Happy birthday, SMS, and you too will be able to have yourself a great start with everyone ready to upgrade.”
Google is also attempting to bridge the experience between the two operating systems by adding features such as responsive emoji support for iPhone text messages.
