The GSM Affiliation (GSMA) has formally introduced assist for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for securing messages despatched through the Wealthy Communications Providers (RCS) protocol, bringing much-needed safety protections to cross-platform messages shared between Android and iOS platforms.
To that finish, the brand new GSMA specs for RCS embrace E2EE based mostly on the Messaging Layer Safety (MLS) protocol through what’s referred to as the RCS Common Profile 3.0.
“The brand new specs outline tips on how to apply MLS throughout the context of RCS,” Tom Van Pelt, technical director of GSMA, mentioned. “These procedures be sure that messages and different content material reminiscent of information stay confidential and safe as they journey between purchasers.”
This additionally implies that RCS would be the first “large-scale messaging service” to have assist for interoperable E2EE between totally different consumer implementations from totally different suppliers within the close to future.
It is price noting that Google’s personal implementation of RCS, used within the Messages app for Android, secures conversations utilizing the Sign protocol to handle the shortage of built-in E2EE protections. That mentioned, the encryption safeguards are at the moment restricted to messages exchanged through the app, and never these exchanged with the iOS Messages customers or customers of different RCS purchasers on Android.
The event comes almost six months after the GSMA mentioned it was working in the direction of implementing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to safe messages despatched between the Android and iOS ecosystems. The transfer adopted Apple’s choice to roll out assist for RCS in its personal Messages app with iOS 18.
In July 2023, Google revealed that it intends so as to add assist for MLS to its Messages service and open-source implementation of the specification.
“RCS continues to assist a variety of interoperable messaging capabilities between iOS and Android customers, reminiscent of group messaging, the flexibility to share high-resolution media, and see learn receipts and typing indicators,” Van Pelt mentioned.
When reached for remark, Google mentioned, “We have all the time been dedicated to offering a safe messaging expertise, and 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 cell ecosystem to implement and lengthen this necessary consumer safety to cross-platform RCS messaging.”
