Since 2018, Google has been actively working on its Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Google Messages. As it stands today, RCS is a mature communication interface that has not only evolved with the times, but has also been able to shame Apple into using RCS for cross-platform messaging. And now there's a new update, which could further strengthen RCS's position in the Android world and possibly get Apple's attention. Continue reading to know more.
What is RCS? (& how it will change text messaging forever)
In its latest Community Support Forum post, Google announced that from now on, all RCS chats will be end-to-end encrypted. This includes both one-on-one chats as well as group chats. And the best part is that it will be on by default for both new and existing users! If it is not turned off.
If you can recall, Google had been working on end-to-end encryption for RCS chats since 2020 but was available for selective chats. Now, after almost three years, this feature is live for everyone. This comes after Google recently integrated Message Layer Security (MLS) into Google Messages to enable interoperability between devices, regardless of the operating system they use. This means that going forward, Google Messages will not only enable seamless cross-platform support, even if Apple is not keen on adopting RCS, but also ensure that the layer of security and privacy is maintained regardless of the platform messages are shared on.
And not only that, with end-to-end encryption, Google Messages is now as capable as some of its competitors like WhatsApp and iMessage. However, please note that based on your region and carrier partner, you must agree to certain terms and conditions in order to use full RCS text messaging functionality.
