Google and Apple will both support the new end-to-end encryption for RCS

Recently, the GSMA has announced the latest iteration of RCS (Rich Communication Services), Universal Profile 3.0, which integrates end-to-end encryption (E2EE) through the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. This development addresses a long-standing concern regarding RCS, and both Google and Apple are confirming their support.

The core of this update lies in the GSMA’s new specifications, which outline the implementation of MLS within the RCS framework. This ensures that messages and other content, such as files, remain confidential and secure as they travel between clients.

The GSMA highlights that this advancement positions RCS as the first large-scale messaging service to offer interoperable E2EE across different client implementations from various providers. Coupled with existing security measures like SIM-based authentication, E2EE will significantly bolster user privacy and security, offering robust protection against scams, fraud, and other security threats.

Apple’s recent integration of RCS into iOS, announced last year, paved the way for this security enhancement. In a statement provided to 9to5Mac, Apple expressed its satisfaction in having “helped lead” the effort to bring E2EE to the Universal Profile. They have also committed to implementing support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages across their ecosystem, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, in future software updates.

Google, a key player in the RCS ecosystem, has also pledged to support the updated standard. In a statement to The Verge, Google reiterated its long-standing support for E2EE in Google Messages, which was first introduced in 2020. The company has stated its commitment to “work as quickly as possible” to implement the updated specification. This will extend E2EE capabilities to cross-platform RCS messaging, potentially revitalizing interoperability among various RCS apps on Android.

It’s crucial to note that while the standard update is complete, these enhancements are not yet available to users. However, the groundwork has been laid, and the major players in the mobile messaging space are aligned in their commitment to delivering a more secure and private messaging experience via RCS.