Google has announced that it will offer end-to-end encryption to all Android users in an effort to strengthen the security of users' private messages. Of course, this means that no one will be able to access users' messages (not even the authorities).
“End-to-end encryption ensures that no one, including Google and third parties, can read the content of the messages you send to other people,” said Google executive Drew Rowny.
This move by Google is part of an upgrade from SMS to the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, with additional capabilities for images and videos.
End-to-end encryption will be available for people communicating using Android devices.
As we said above, this decision aims to enhance the privacy and security of Android users, but law enforcement agencies around the world have raised objections. Authorities argue that end-to-end encryption makes it difficult to investigate criminal cases. Criminals can take advantage of strong encryption to communicate with their partners without fear of anyone seeing the conversations.
On the other hand, activists being have long advocated for strong encryption, which prevents users from by spied on both cybercriminals and governments.
End-to-end encryption is already available on popular services, such as WhatsApp (owned by Facebook). However, Facebook has also been criticized for this move.
Last year, US Attorney General William Barr, along with his British and Australian counterparts, urged Facebook to abandon its encryption, claiming it creates obstacles to investigations related to child abuse.
However, rights advocates argue that the lack of encryption to facilitate authorities could seriously harm the privacy and security of all Internet users, creating holes that could even be exploited by cybercriminals.
Source: Security Week
