End-to-End Encryption Coming for iPhone-to-Android RCS Messages

The GSM Association (GSMA), the organization responsible for developing the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, announced on Tuesday that it is working to implement end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent between Android and iPhone devices, though no specific timeline for the implementation has been provided.

apple rcs thumb
The news comes on the heels of Apple's recent adoption of RCS with the launch of iOS 18, which replaced SMS with ‌RCS‌ messaging for texts sent to Android users. While the update brings improvements such as high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators, it notably lacks end-to-end encryption.

GSMA technical director Tom Van Pelt said that the next milestone for ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile is the "first deployment of standardized, interoperable messaging encryption between different computing platforms." This move aims to bridge a significant gap in cross-platform messaging security.

Currently, not all ‌RCS‌ providers offer E2EE. Google Messages, which enabled E2EE by default for ‌RCS‌ conversations last year, is one of the exceptions. Apple's proprietary iMessage system also features E2EE, but this protection does not extend to ‌RCS‌ messages.

The implementation of E2EE for cross-platform ‌RCS‌ messages would prevent third parties, such as messaging services or cell carriers, from viewing the content of texts. This added layer of security would also prevent state surveillance of citizens' ‌RCS‌ communications.

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Top Rated Comments

jasonsmith_88 Avatar
25 weeks ago
Phone numbers as addresses are terrible. They are short-lived, with laws requiring telcos to recycle “inactive” phone numbers within a matter of months. They are easily stolen by bad actors. Caller IDs are easily spoofed. They cease to work overseas, unless you pay exorbitant roaming fees. They change if you move countries.

All of these problems were solved decades ago by superior technologies such as email. And yet the world still revolves around phone numbers. I can’t even book a bus trip without being forced to provide a phone number. Let alone open a bank account, where I lose access to my money if any of the numerous issues I posted above occurs.

The world needs to stop using phone numbers as identification.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
25 weeks ago

isn't WhatsApp totally encrypted? and its cross platform?
Sure. But you need to agree to Meta's terms to use it.
A decentralized system like RCS is superior, IMO, but it's probably way too late.


The world needs to stop using phone numbers as identification.
I don't know about the world, but the US probably should stop issuing "regional" phone numbers to cell phones. In other countries you can keep your cell number for life.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcilwraith Avatar
25 weeks ago
isn't WhatsApp totally encrypted? and its cross platform?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
25 weeks ago
Do the carriers have to support it to work cause if so good luck with that
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brofkand Avatar
25 weeks ago

Pretty sure the lack of E2EE was one of the major reasons Apple wasn’t going to support it… but then some big country went and made it a requirement to support RCS.
No, they didn't support it because it is more reliable than SMS and gives a better user experience - and Apple doesn't want that. They use iMessage to build the walls around their garden 10 feet taller.

SMS is entirely plain text - at least RCS is encrypted in transit.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McWetty Avatar
25 weeks ago
It’s curious… why wasn’t E2EE part of RCS from the beginning?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)