Google Messages now supports end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for group chats on the beta version of its messaging app. As Google announce the rollout of the new security features for the group chats in December 2022 and has confirm that the rollout is now complete for users who sign up to join the open beta program and test upcoming versions of the messaging app before they are roll out to other users.
Google first announce it would bring E2EE support for group chats at its I/O 2022 event.
Support for Google Message group chats with E2EE is now available to all users via the open beta program, the firm announce via its official Twitter handle.
With RCS, security is front and center. RCS protects our users from more than 2 billion spam messages every month. That’s a lot of unnecessary spam.
— Android (@Android) January 6, 2023
This rollout of encrypted group chats has complete in a month.
Google had revealed it would roll out the feature to open beta testers last month via a blog post.
Users who have enroll themselves in the open beta program can now access the feature.
Google announce it would make group chats on the Messages app more secure by introducing end-to-end encryption support at its I/O event in May 2022.
Google says that E2EE messages are private and safe as they can only be seen by the sender and the recipient.
No third parties, including Google, can access the content of these messages.
The Google Messages beta users with the E2EE enable will be able a “This chat is now end-to-end encrypted” banner in their group chats.
Google will also have a lock icon on the send button.
Individual chats on Google Messages Messages were already protect by end-to-end encryption.
Google has also announce that it will bring more emoji reactions to RCS chats on its Messages app.
Google said that users will soon be able to react to messages with any emoji.
Not only that, but Android users will also be able to share the emoji reactions with iPhone users.
Google Messages users can only react by using emoji for thumbs up, heart eyes, laughing, shock, crying, and anger on the app.
Google roll out the new emoji reactions on Google Messages to some beta users in November.
This feature is expect to be roll out to all users in the future.
When roll out, you will be able to see a plus icon in the emoji options.
When you click that a full emoji picker will be shown, enabling users to choose any suitable emoji to react.
