- Google announced End-to-End encryption in Google Messages
- Some Beta users have confirmed the newly added feature
- Whereas, E2EE is strongly opposed in Europe, especially England
Google secures the Message
In November, Google announced that it would fulfill a long-time feature request in its RCS client. This feature, the End-to-end encryption in Google Messages and is now rolling out for some beta users.
Google announced the security feature alongside the global availability of its direct RCS solution. E2EE means that the contents of a chat cannot be read by anybody as its sent from sender to receiver.
Google is initially enabling end-to-end encryption for one-to-one conversations. It will be on by default with no option to disable and past chats automatically upgraded, thus resulting in a very privacy-first stance from Google. Besides RCS/Chat needing to be enabled, both parties have to be on the Google Messages beta.
Once it’s rolled out, the “Chatting with [contact]” banner will feature a lock icon. That gray symbol will also be displayed next to timestamps and delivered/read indicators, as well as on the send button.
There are only a handful of reports — specifically in the US and Canada — this evening (via Twitter and Reddit) about E2E encryption’s availability. Google advertises the feature as providing “More security in chats,” and notes how “messages are now more secure while sending” with a link to learn more.
A blue bubble announcing that it’s live on your device will appear in the first conversation where both parties meet the requirements. E2EE will also be available when using the Messages for web client. This availability tracks with Google’s timeline for encryption in Messages. It will not be fully available until sometime next year.
Worried Commissioner of England
End-to-end encryption is a privacy feature that makes it impossible for anyone except the sender and recipient to read messages sent online.
Commissioner Anne Longfield said it also prevented police from gathering evidence to prosecute child abusers. Yet, digital rights groups see it as an essential part of online privacy.
Facebook, which is behind the most popular messaging apps children use, already offers end-to-end encryption for Whatsapp.
It has added an opt-in version to its Messenger service, with plans to make it the default for all its platforms. That could include Instagram, which does not yet have it.
