Apple Plans to Support End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging Across Its Platforms
Apple has announced plans to implement support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in upcoming software updates. This enhancement will enable iPhone and Android users to exchange end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messages, thanks to newly updated specifications from the GSM Association.
The latest RCS standard incorporates E2EE based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, allowing for interoperable encryption across different platforms for the first time. The GSM Association began efforts to facilitate E2EE messaging between Android and iPhone users in September of last year.
E2EE ensures that third parties, such as messaging providers or carriers, cannot access the content of messages. The GSMA developed the new RCS standard in collaboration with mobile operators, device manufacturers, and technology providers, including Apple.
“End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported from the start, and we are proud to help lead a cross-industry effort to bring E2EE to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA,” said Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer. “We will support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in future updates.”
Apple added RCS support for iPhones in the iOS 18 update released in September. While its proprietary iMessage system already included E2EE, it was not extended to RCS messaging previously due to a lack of cross-platform support. Google Messages also enabled E2EE for RCS texts, but this was limited to conversations between Google Messages users, excluding interactions with iMessage users or other RCS clients on Android.
“We have always been committed to providing a secure messaging experience, and Google Messages users have enjoyed E2EE RCS messaging for years,” said Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez. “We’re eager to implement this updated specification from GSMA and extend this important user protection to cross-platform RCS messaging as quickly as possible.”
SOURCE: THE VERGE
