iPhone and Android users will soon be able to send encrypted RCS messages to each other

Text messages between iPhones and Android devices will soon benefit from the end-to-end encryption (E2EE) after the GSM Association (E2EE) (Association (E2EE)Gsma) yesterday published new specifications For the rich communication services (RCS) Protocol that contains support for cross -platform E2EE.

RCS is a long-term effort to enable cross-platform communication in SMS style with more extensive functions such as group news, tip indicators, reading earnings and file approval. B. WhatsApp.

While many Android mobile parts manufacturer Had adopted RCS over the yearsApple was the main outlet until it was finally the case with what it was Introduction of iOS 18 last year. Most Kern RCS functions have been available for cross-platform messaging since then, but E2Ee has so far been missing.

Sales argument

For the uninitiated, E2EE is a data encryption method that ensures that only the sender and the recipient of a message can read their content. For technology companies, this promise of privacy is a large sales argument because it assures users that their messages are safe from secret sniffing. Apple has offered E2EE since then Idessage started in 2011Although this of course only worked between iOS devices, while WhatsApp completed its E2EE Rollout in 2016 (And it only worked between WhatsApp users).

Google in turn has previously E2EE added to his added Own news appBut the encryption of messages about not only different customers, but also different platforms are associated with their own unique challenges. Here is the GSMA’s Universal profile Enter the fight and offer a standardized specification for consistent, interoperable RCS messages across devices, networks and operators.

Based on the safety of cryptographic messaging (securityMLS) Protocol, the new E2EE mechanism in the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 is an essential piece of the interoperable puzzle, which ultimately enables iPhone and Android users to communicate safely via the native messaging app of their device.

“This means that RCS will be the first large-scale messaging service that supports interoperable E2EE between customer implementations of various providers” opinion. “Together with other unique security functions such as the SIM-based authentication, E2EE RCS users offer the highest level of data protection and security to protect more protection against fraud, fraud, fraud and other safety and data protection threats. “”