Google LLC said today its Rich Communication Services messaging capability is now available worldwide, albeit with a few exceptions, and that it will add end-to-end encryption for some beta testers later this month.

For those unfamiliar with RCS, it’s essentially a supercharged version of SMS text messages, upgraded for the 21st century. RCS brings SMS closer to the experience you get with chat apps such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber and Line, with better picture messaging features, group chat capabilities and various other things. It also lets users communicate over Wi-Fi if they prefer, instead of using their mobile network.

Google decided to launch RCS after seeing that carriers were unwilling to update SMS themselves, and has built it directly into the standard Google Messages app that comes with every Android smartphone.

The service has steadily been rolled out worldwide over a period of months, and Google said today that rollout is now complete. However, if you happen to live in China, Cuba, Iran or Russia, you won’t notice anything new, as Google has decided not to make RCS available in those countries.

One of the main drawbacks of RCS at this time is that it lacks any encryption features, but Google said this will change soon. It’s planning to test its new end-to-end encryption feature for RCS in one-on-one conversations first of all in the beta version of the Messaging app, ahead of wider support planned for next year. Once end-to-end encryption comes available, neither Google nor wireless carriers will be able to read those messages.

“We recognize that your conversations are private and it’s our responsibility to keep your personal information safe,” Google wrote in a blog post. “We’re continually improving security protections to safeguard your privacy.”

Image: Google