Google has recently declared that RCS (Rich Communication Service) messages will now be safeguarded by default with end-to-end encryption. This move has been taken to ensure the privacy of individuals engaged in conversations, marking a significant stride in Google's endeavor to establish RCS as a more advanced substitute for SMS.
Google has clarified that this end-to-end encryption is automatically activated for both one-on-one private messaging and group chats. The tech giant embarked on the journey of fortifying personal conversations with encryption back in 2020 and had previously committed to extending this protection to group discussions as well. This development is part of Google's competitive efforts against Apple's iMessage platform. iMessage's long-standing distinction and advantage over Google Messages had been its comprehensive end-to-end encryption across all conversations, a disparity that now seems to have been addressed.
Alongside the incorporation of end-to-end encryption, RCS brings forth several substantial enhancements compared to traditional SMS. These enhancements include an input indicator, read notifications, and the capability to share high-resolution photos and videos. However, despite Google's proactive strides, Apple has not shown interest in supporting RCS and does not appear to have immediate plans to do so. Nonetheless, such a step would simplify messaging between Android devices and iPhones.
