Google is testing end-to-end encryption for group chats in the Messages app:
Google said today it is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS-based group chats on its Messages app — RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. The company noted that it will be rolling out this feature to select users that are part of the app's open beta program in the coming weeks.
[...] Google has been pushing manufacturers and carriers to adopt RCS — a hypercharged version of SMS with features like typing indicators, delivery, and read receipts. It has been also running campaigns to convince Apple to adopt this standard for its own Messages app. This way, folks using Android would be able to send rich multimedia messages with better photos and videos to their friends using iPhones.
While Apple hasn't budged yet, Google didn't miss a chance to nudge the Cupertino-based tech giant once again with the new announcement.
"Today, all of the major mobile carriers and manufacturers have adopted RCS as the standard – except for Apple. Apple refuses to adopt RCS and continues to rely on SMS when people with iPhones message people with Android phones, which means their texting is stuck in the 1990s," Neena Budhiraja, group product manager for the Messages app, said in a blog post.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Ox0000 on Wednesday December 07, @10:57AM
Does google consider itself one of the ends (either directly in the conv. or indirectly by privileged access to your device(s)/accounts)?
End-to-End encryption is good and fun and all, but I want to know who is included in those "ends". Your security is only as strong as your weakest link.