Google launches strong encryption for Android messages, Tech News News & Top Stories

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Google stated on Thursday (Nov 19) it is going to be rolling out end-to-end encryption for Android customers, making it tougher for anybody – together with regulation enforcement – to learn the content material of messages.

“Finish-to-end encryption ensures that nobody, together with Google and third events, can learn the content material of your messages as they journey between your telephone and the telephone of the particular person you are messaging,” stated Google product lead Drew Rowny in saying the rollout.

Google’s transfer is a part of an improve from SMS to the Wealthy Communication Companies (RCS) commonplace with extra options for photographs and movies.

It will likely be obtainable for individuals speaking utilizing Android-powered gadgets.

The transfer brings extra privateness and safety to Google’s messaging utility, however comes amid rising complaints from regulation enforcement companies world wide that robust encryption might allow criminals to cover their tracks.

Digital rights activists have lengthy supported robust encryption to permit customers to keep away from snooping by governments and cybercriminals.

However some governments have warned the technology could hinder criminal investigations.

End-to-end encryption is already available on some services such as Facebook-owned WhatsApp, however the firm has been going through resistance over its plan to convey full encryption to its Messenger app.

Final yr, US Legal professional-Normal William Barr joined with British and Australian counterparts in urging Facebook to abandon its encryption, claiming the plan court docket damage investigations into child exploitation.

Civil liberties teams countered {that a} lack of encryption or privileged entry for regulation enforcement may damage privateness and safety for all Web customers, creating holes that could possibly be exploited by unhealthy actors.