Did you know Apple Pledges to Add Support for E2E Encrypted RCS Messages for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS

 

In case you didn’t know, End to End Encryption or E2EE for RCS messaging is one step closer to becoming a reality. The news comes after the driving force governing body behind this standard, GSMA, shared that it’s ready for launch.

Now that does not mean it’s going to pop up across all iPhone and Android phones this afternoon. However, we know that Apple is committed to rolling this out as soon as possible. A new statement was shared on this front by 9to5Mac, who mentioned that Apple is excited to provide support for E2EE to RCS Universal Profile.

They hope to include it for all iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in the next software update, which is major news.

For those wondering, RCS or rich communication services gives texters the chance to send and receive top quality media and also enable features such as read receipts. Moreover, texts from Android pop up in the color green, but you can see how and when there are typing indicators on the iPhone device.

Google first shared RCS in the year 2019 and then we went on to see Apple include it to all phones with iOS 18 last year in fall. The Android maker similarly offers E2EE for RCS messaging between Android users through the Google Messages platform. However, Phone to Android RCS chats can only encrypt texts in transit, not E2E. Therefore, this puts texts at risk of being intercepted.

As shared in September, the GSMA put out teasers for E2EE coming to both iOS and Android but later mentioned how it might take a couple of months. This looks like the day has come. The announcement of the latest GSMA specifications for RCS is up for grabs with E2EE depending on the MLS protocol.

This ensures all the messages and other content files remain encrypted and private when traveling from one device to the next. Moreover, RCS takes pride in being the large-scale messaging service to provide support for interoperable E2EE between various providers.

As a whole, E2EE provides RCS users with the best privacy and security for stronger protections against fraud and scams and other types of security threats. Google says it’s excited to have such a unique and robust specification up for grabs. They will be working closely with the desired authorities to implement this user protection for all types of cross-platform messaging through RCS.

The report comes just a short while after we witnessed the FBI urge US citizens to make use of encrypted services for messaging after the infamous Salt Typhoon incident that breached over nine leading telecom companies in America. That was a huge eye opener for the world. It proved how important encryption was for secure cross-platform messaging and putting an end to privacy risks. 

 Image: Mariia Shalabaieva / Unsplash