Google Fi is getting a nice security and privacy boost today as the end-to-end encryption rollout for Google’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) officially begins. The search giant announced the new initiative at the end of October only said at the time that it would bring end-to-end encryption to Android users in the coming weeks. Today, Google finally turned the key and revealed on Twitter that it now automatically backs up all Fi calls on Android devices with end-to-end encryption.
End-to-end encryption means that your calls on Google Fi are safe and private, from the moment they leave your smartphone until they arrive at the other end. Best of all, you don’t have to do anything to activate it – if you’re a Google Fi user on an Android device, it just works automatically in the background. Once you make the call, Google Fi will immediately notify you with a unique ringtone if your calls are eligible for end-to-end encryption. Once the other participant answers, you should both see a lock icon to confirm that end-to-end encryption is in place.
Your conversations, your business. 🔒
Starting today, calls between Android phones on Fi will be automatically secured with end-to-end encryption. Conversations remain between you and the person you are speaking to; no further action is required.
Learn more → https://t.co/HuhJqSPgH0 pic.twitter.com/R4uwi4KA5J
– Google-Fi (@googlefi) November 10, 2021
End-to-end encryption is fairly common in messaging apps, but less common in voice services. Although some mobile phone applications like WhatsApp also offer end-to-end encryption, it is still not widely used.
More importantly, though, Google Fi is one of the first MVNOs to offer it for voice calls, although it’s still somewhat limited at this point. For one, the initial rollout is only available for one-on-one calls where both parties are using Android devices. This means that it won’t activate when you call Google Fi subscribers on the iPhone, nor can it be used for conference calls. It also excludes calls to voicemail and, oddly enough, calls made using the Messages by Google app. On the other hand, end-to-end encryption works both via WiFi and cellular connections with at least LTE speed.
Since Google Fi can be used to call any phone number, most of your calls will likely not benefit from end-to-end encryption, but it’s still a big step in the right direction. Google hasn’t said exactly when end-to-end encryption will hit its iPhone subscribers, but it can be safely said that it is working on it.
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