Google has introduced an important feature for its messaging system RCS (Rich Communication Services), which has long offered Apple a public invitation. All group messages made over this protocol will now be end-to-end encrypted.
Until now, RCS already offered end-to-end encryption for one-to-one messaging. With this feature, messages are prevented from being read by third parties, messages are viewed and stored only by the sender and receiver. With the introduction of this feature in group chats, messages will only be visible to members of a group.
The new feature will be active by default:
With end-to-end encryption to group chats, RCS will be active by default on all chats for new and old users. However, users who wish can also choose not to chat with RCS. RCS is available in the messaging app on both Android and Wear OS.
In chats with iOS, the old method will still be used:
RCS will not be available in a group chat or one-on-one chats, as Apple still does not support RCS. Therefore, chats between Android and iOS will not be end-to-end encrypted. Apple users will only be able to benefit from end-to-end encryption when chatting with Apple and Android users only when chatting with Android users.