29 C
Dhaka
Friday, March 29, 2024

Google launches strong encryption for Android messages

WASHINGTON (AFP)

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Google said recently it will be rolling out end-to-end encryption for Android users, making it harder for anyone — including law enforcement — to read the content of messages.

“End-to-end encryption ensures that no one, including Google and third
parties, can read the content of your messages as they travel between your phone and the phone of the person you’re messaging,” said Google product lead Drew Rowny in announcing the rollout.

Google’s move is part of an upgrade from SMS to the Rich Communication
Services (RCS) standard with additional features for images and videos.

It will be available for people communicating using Android-powered
devices.

The move brings additional privacy and security to Google’s messaging
application, but comes amid rising complaints from law enforcement agencies around the world that strong encryption may enable criminals to hide their tracks.

Digital rights activists have long supported strong encryption to allow
users to avoid snooping by governments and cybercriminals. But 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, but the company has been facing resistance over its plan to bring full encryption to its Messenger app.

Last year, US Attorney General William Barr joined with British and
Australian counterparts in urging Facebook to abandon its encryption,
claiming the plan court hurt investigations into child exploitation.

Civil liberties groups countered that a lack of encryption or privileged
access for law enforcement could hurt privacy and security for all internet
users, creating holes that could be exploited by bad actors.

Fintech

Related Articles

CLOUD COMPUTING SECURITY

Cloud Computing Security Issues, Threats and Controls

0
Cloud Computing and service models  The official NIST definition (NIST 800-145) of cloud computing says, “Cloud Computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand...
API and Open Banking

API and Open Banking: Way for New Service Innovation for Banks and FinTech Companies

0
The people who gathered at a hall room of a city hotel in last month had one thing in common—they all are working in...
ISO 2001

ISO 27002: 2022 Implementation vs Reality

0
After almost a decade, ISO27001: 2013 is going to publish its new iteration of ISO27001:2022 in second (2nd) Quarter this year1. But prior to...
Deepfakes: The Synthetic Media I want to believe

Deepfakes: The Synthetic Media I want to believe

0
What Are Deepfakes? A deepfake is a sort of "synthetic media," which refers to material (such as images, audio, and video) that has been modified...
The power of API platforms

The power of API platforms brings the open banking promise into sharper focus

0
Open banking is a global phenomenon whose merits are felt in virtually every time zone, including those in the Asia-Pacific region. In contrast to...
Blockchains Gaming and Collusion

“Blockchains: Gaming and Collusion- A Reading in Political Economy”:  Futuristic Exploration with Fact-based Analysis

0
In this digital age, it has become quite common for us to constantly remain mesmerized by fascinating technologies.  However, deeper thoughts about those technologies,...