Cross-platform encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android is coming quickly, due to up to date Wealthy Communication Companies (RCS) requirements. The GSM Affiliation has introduced that the most recent RCS specs now embody end-to-end encryption based mostly on the Messaging Layer Safety protocol. This breakthrough, initially teased again in September, will lastly enable safe, encrypted messaging between completely different cell platforms.
This can be a big privateness win — end-to-end encryption (E2EE) means no one else can see your messages, not even your cell service or the businesses that make the messaging apps. In accordance with the GSMA, they developed this new RCS customary by bringing everybody to the desk: cell carriers, system makers, and tech corporations, together with Apple.
GSMA Technical Director Tom Van Pelt wrote on his group’s web site that, “…RCS would be the first large-scale messaging service to assist interoperable E2EE between shopper implementations from completely different suppliers. Along with different distinctive safety features similar to SIM-based authentication, E2EE will present RCS customers with the very best stage of privateness and safety for stronger safety from scams, fraud and different safety and privateness threats.”
Apple’s dedication to cross-platform safety
In accordance with 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 trade effort to deliver 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 rapidly as doable with the cell ecosystem to implement and lengthen this essential 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 function didn’t carry over to RCS messaging as a result of the earlier customary merely couldn’t deal with cross-platform encryption.
On the Android aspect, Google Messages did provide end-to-end encryption for RCS texts, however solely when chatting with different Google Messages customers; conversations with iPhone customers or folks utilizing completely different Android messaging apps weren’t protected. The brand new customary ought to lastly repair this fragmented state of affairs.
No particular timeline has been given for once we’ll see this function roll out, however when it lastly arrives, it’ll definitely be an enormous privateness improve.
