Google Massaging app-Allo

Features[edithttp://www.googleyahoobingsearch.com]

Allo will be based on phone numbers.^[4]

Smart reply[edit]

Allo's "Smart reply" function will use Google's machine learning technology to suggest a reply to the last message, which can be selected from a few options. The feature will also analyse images sent to the user in order to suggest responses. Similar to the smart reply feature seen in Google's Inbox app, it will learn from the user's behaviour to adapt its suggestions over time.^[5]

Incognito mode[edit]

Incognito mode will be an optional mode that includes expiring chats, private notifications, and end-to-end encryption. The encryption will use Open Whisper Systems' Signal Protocol, already used in the Signal app.^[6]

"Whisper Shout"[edit]

The Whisper Shout feature being demonstrated at Google I/O 2016

"Whisper Shout" will allow the user to increase or decrease the size of a message to represent volume.^[7]

The Google Assistant[edit]

The assistant will allow users to make Google search queries in a conversational format.

Reception[edit]

Following Allo's introduction at Google I/O, Google was criticised by security experts and privacy advocates for having the end-to-end encryption turned off by default, which they argue leaves the app open to government surveillance.^[6][8] Edward Snowden, whistleblower and former NSA contractor, criticised the app on Twitter, saying that "Google's decision to disable end-to-end encryption by default in its new #Allo chat app is dangerous, and makes it unsafe."^[8][9] Thai Duong, a co-lead of Google's product security team, wrote in a personal blog post that he would push for the addition of a setting that would let users have the encryption on all the time, but he later retracted the statement.^[10][11]