Google Messages Suddenly Removes ‘No Encryption’ Icon From iPhone RCS Conversations – Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)

Alphabet Inc. GOOG GOOGLE Google Messages removed the icon indicating no end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in RCS chats with Apple Inc. AAPL iPhone users.

What happened:Since last week, Google Messages has been displaying a crossed-out padlock icon in Android-iPhone RCS conversations, meaning no E2EE. This was due to Google’s unique E2EE implementation for both individual and group conversations.

However, as of Tuesday, the crossed-out padlock icon has been removed from iOS-Android conversations. This change appears to be a server-side tweak with recent Google Messages betas, 9To5Mac reported.

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In the past, most users saw this icon when interacting with Android users who did not use Google Messages as their messaging app.

In a way, this highlights the current state of SMS communications. Mentioning the lack of encryption in Android-iOS conversations is redundant since end users currently have no way to enable it, the report notes.

Why is this important?:Apple has expressed interest in adding encryption to the RCS Universal Profile standard, but it is not certain that it will be implemented by then. iOS 18 will be released in the fall. Google is expected to adopt this standardized approach as soon as it becomes available.

Meanwhile, Google Messages is also focusing on improving support and informing users about “cross-platform RCS chats” ahead of the launch of iOS 18, the report notes.

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Disclaimer: This content was produced in part with the assistance of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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