Cross-platform encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android is coming quickly, due to up to date Wealthy Communication Providers (RCS) requirements. The GSM Affiliation has introduced that the most recent RCS specs now embrace end-to-end encryption primarily based on the Messaging Layer Safety protocol. This breakthrough, initially teased again in September, will lastly permit safe, encrypted messaging between completely different cellular platforms.
This can be a enormous privateness win — end-to-end encryption (E2EE) means no person else can see your messages, not even your cell provider or the businesses that make the messaging apps. In response to the GSMA, they developed this new RCS commonplace by bringing everybody to the desk: cellular carriers, system makers, and tech firms, together with Apple.
GSMA Technical Director Tom Van Pelt wrote on his group’s website that, “…RCS would be the first large-scale messaging service to assist interoperable E2EE between consumer implementations from completely different suppliers. Along with different distinctive safety features comparable to SIM-based authentication, E2EE will present RCS customers with the best degree of privateness and safety for stronger safety from scams, fraud and different safety and privateness threats.”
Apple’s dedication to cross-platform safety
In response to Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer in an announcement to 9to5 Mac, end-to-end encryption is a strong privateness and safety expertise that iMessage has supported for the reason that starting. Bauer added, “… we’re happy to have helped lead a cross business effort to carry end-to-end encryption to the RCS Common Profile revealed by the GSMA. We are going to add assist for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software program updates.”
Google’s dedication to safe messaging
Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez instructed The Verge that, “Google Messages customers have had end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messaging for years. We’re excited to have this up to date specification from GSMA and work as shortly as potential with the cellular ecosystem to implement and prolong this necessary person safety to cross-platform RCS messaging.”
The tip of fragmented messaging safety
Apple rolled out RCS assist for iPhones with the iOS 18 replace again in September. Whereas iMessage has had end-to-end encryption for ages, this safety characteristic didn’t carry over to RCS messaging as a result of the earlier commonplace merely couldn’t deal with cross-platform encryption.
On the Android aspect, Google Messages did supply end-to-end encryption for RCS texts, however solely when chatting with different Google Messages customers; conversations with iPhone customers or individuals utilizing completely different Android messaging apps weren’t protected. The brand new commonplace ought to lastly repair this fragmented state of affairs.
No particular timeline has been given for after we’ll see this characteristic roll out, however when it lastly arrives, it should definitely be a giant privateness improve.
