Developer of https://TheUncloud.co which is the easiest way to chat off the record and transfer large files to anyone. Working on an Android app.
@Mountaineer Encryption needs to be added to the standard, and then Apple will be expected to implement it. Hopefully the EU knocks some heads together and makes this happen.
WhatsApp is owned by Facebook and has ads, which is two good reasons not to use it. Europeans are just as "stuck with a bad standard" as Americans are here.
I use RCS quite a bit and like it. Although nothing on a phone should be regarded as truly secure.
@HeartyBeast @stefano @Haphazard9479 Google put up their own because the carriers botched the rollout. The carriers were very fast to deploy MMS servers because they could charge by the picture. Now that they no longer can do that, they were in no hurry to do the upgrade.
Using Pixel phones, RCS is pretty nice. You do get the three step confirmation (sent, received, read) and end to end encryption.
Hopefully Apple will implement the encryption.
@RGB3x3 @Earthwormjim91 Yes, google needs to put the encryption into the open standard ASAP, and then push Apple if they don't quickly implement it. I have pixel devices and like RCS. Looking forward to being able to RCS text everyone.
@BearOfaTime I have RCS and use it. It works fine. I have not noticed significant reliability problems, using Google's servers. If there are problems it's likely the carrier's garbage implementation.
There is no standard here in the USA except SMS.
@Mountaineer @gregorum Apple is going to implement RCS, the EU put pressure on them.
However I am surprised that Beeper was able to do this in software. With everyone else using an Apple device as a proxy, I figured the protocol required a magic handshake from the TPM chip in an Apple device. That would be easy to do.