TL; DR
- After months of testing, Google is introducing end-to-end encryption in messages for all Android users.
- It is limited to one-on-one chats between Messages users.
Starring isn’t the only major Messages update reaching Android users. 9to5Google reports that after a month-long beta test, Google has started providing end-to-end encrypted chats for all Messages users on Android.
Encrypted messages are limited to one-on-one conversations between people with chat and data enabled. It doesn’t work for simple SMS (which doesn’t support encryption) or group chats. However, you can use encryption in the web version and the protection is automatic – you cannot turn it off.
See also: The best chat and messenger apps for Android
As with other end-to-end encrypted apps, the advantage is the increased privacy for your messages and pictures. Google relies on the Signal Protocol to generate secure key numbers for every message that are only present on the devices involved in a conversation. In other words, attackers cannot easily intercept your chats. You can also give your chat partner a verification code to prove that it is you.
The Messages add-on could be critical to competing with Apple’s iMessage by combining encrypted security with an automated, seamless experience. At the same time, it could make the Google app an easier alternative for those who don’t want (or can’t) install secure third-party apps like Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp. As long as you have an updated version of Messages, you will always have a privacy-conscious chat option on your phone.
