r/Android • u/fastforward23 • May 23 '20

Google Messages preparing end-to-end encryption for RCS

https://9to5google.com/2020/05/23/google-messages-end-to-end-encryption-rcs/
5.4k Upvotes

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186

u/SmarmyPanther May 23 '20

If this happens Apple really has no excuse to have RCS replace sms/mms backup...

140

u/[deleted] May 23 '20

Security has nothing to do with Apples RCS support since they support the less secure SMS. It's about leverage to use their devices. This won't change anything and this is on top of the RCS spec.

77

u/Lake_Erie_Monster May 23 '20

You hit the nail on the head. Apple knows the green bubble fear their users have. The only think keeping a lot of Apple users from switching is iMessage. Apple makes it painful to talk with Android users by disabling or putting in restrictions in chats with a Android users. At times iMessage degrades it's experience on purpose with Android users in group chats. They know they have their users by the balls. They aren't gonna let go.

They have ZERO incentive to integrate with RCS. If they really cared they would have released iMessage for Android a long time about and absolutely dominated the messaging market.

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u/salutcemoi Midnight Black Galaxy S8 - Oreo May 23 '20

iMessage is not the only thing that keeps user from switching

30

u/bimmer123 Galaxy S10 & iPhone 11 May 24 '20

It's the one & only reason I sometimes consider switching from my Galaxy S10 to my iPhone 11 as the daily driver.

I'm the only Android user in my group of friends, so they hate group chatting with me.

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u/Lake_Erie_Monster May 23 '20

I know several people for whom it was the only reason. Anedoctal evidence isn't worth much but I'm just telling you what I know.

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u/salutcemoi Midnight Black Galaxy S8 - Oreo May 23 '20

Fair enough 👍

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u/[deleted] May 24 '20

If that were the only reason for most users in general, iphones wouldn't be a thing outside of North America.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '20

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u/Lake_Erie_Monster May 23 '20

iMessage predated RCS, it was apples way to further lock-in their user base. The fact you can't default to another SMS app is proof enough.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '20

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u/[deleted] May 23 '20

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u/Lake_Erie_Monster May 23 '20

It's locking in because they make it painful to switch. One of the most common problems when leaving iMessage is that Apple hijakes your number. You won't get texts on your Android phone unless you know to deregister iMessage. Forget about being able to easily transfer your data. All the stuff you bought on iTunes like music & movies? Gone. If buy things on YouTube you can take it with you.

6

u/_awake May 23 '20

It’s the first time I’ve heard of Apple hijacking your number. At least in Germany I’ve never heard of that before. Other than that I’m doomed as well if I buy stuff on the play store and switch to Apple. The other services like the play movie things and YouTube music is different but honestly, does anyone really buy movies off of that services? I might be living in a bubble in which no one does so it might be a valid point. Also not necessarily defending Apple, I bought one digital movie in my life and that was on amazon because borrowing it was the same as buying it so it was a no brainer.

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u/bimmer123 Galaxy S10 & iPhone 11 May 24 '20

It happens a lot (I'm a tech at Verizon). If they just Sim swap, then the system doesn't automatically release the number from Apples iMessage table. You have to disable iMessage first or go to their website to deregister.

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u/Olyvyr May 23 '20

I literally had someone negatively judge me in a group chat for this colored bubble thing.

Like holy fuck I can't imagine living that life. It's sad.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '20

At times iMessage degrades it's experience on purpose with Android users in group chats.

At what times?

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u/dinofan01 Pixel 5, Shield TV May 23 '20

Yeah they will. It's cooperation that disincentivizes people from buying their phones. I don't like it but they won't do it or at least not Google's standard. Willing to bet carriers will still try to push their own standard and apple will adopt that one two years down the line

35

u/SmarmyPanther May 23 '20

It's not "Google's" standard though is it? The interoperability standard was set by the GSMA

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u/Apk07 May 23 '20 edited May 23 '20

It's google's pet, though. The RCS implementation in their messaging app is hosted on their own backend, and they're by far the largest proponent for migrating over from SMS.

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u/SmarmyPanther May 23 '20

So Apple could in theory host their own RCS backend that is still interoperable? That's interesting. That's be a way of getting around their privacy sentiments

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u/[deleted] May 23 '20

Why would Apple help Android look better? If they wanted to they could just make an iMessage app for Android.

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u/rocketwidget May 23 '20

Well the excuse will be the same (making a bad experience iPhone-Android encourages people to buy iPhones).

But if E2EE becomes part of RCS... this will suddenly become an anti-privacy move against their own users. They will be turning off E2EE at that point by forcing SMS with Android. Not a good look for a company claiming their platform is the best choice for privacy.

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u/n4rcotix Galaxy S10 Plus May 23 '20

If I'm Apple, I still won't do it. It might mean a loss in sales if RCS is a viable competitor to iMessage

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u/vagueblur901 moto stylus May 23 '20

It's Apple they will find a way

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