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.
This comes after a bunch of Redditors noticed that Google was testing end-to-end encryption for group chats in October. The company’s latest announcement makes it official.
The search giant first started testing end-to-end encryption for individual RCS chats in 2020. In June, it rolled out the feature to all users of its Messages app.
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 …
