Google working on RCS encryption between Android and iPhone

With RCS rolling out on the iPhone yesterday, Google is wanting forward on new options together with cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) between Android and iPhone.

The governing GSMA physique says the “subsequent main milestone is for the RCS Common Profile so as to add essential consumer protections reminiscent of interoperable end-to-end encryption.” 

“This would be the first deployment of standardized, interoperable messaging encryption between totally different computing platforms, addressing vital technical challenges reminiscent of key federation and cryptographically-enforced group membership. Moreover, customers will profit from stronger protections from rip-off, fraud, and different safety threats.”

— GSMA

Google added immediately that it’s “working with the broader ecosystem to carry cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats as quickly as doable.” The Google Messages app on Android immediately provides its personal E2E encryption for RCS 1:1 and group conversations that doesn’t lengthen to iPhone chats.

“We’re proud to have provided end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in Google Messages with RCS since 2020. We imagine that E2EE is a essential part of safe messaging, and now we have been working with the broader ecosystem to carry cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats as quickly as doable. Google is dedicated to offering a safe and personal messaging expertise for customers, and we stay devoted to creating E2EE commonplace for all RCS customers whatever the platform.”

— Google

Final 12 months, Google detailed plans to help the MLS protocol for interoperable E2E encrypted messaging.

When RCS for the iPhone was announced, Apple stated it wished to work with GSMA members on including encryption to the usual.

In the meantime, Google separately stated it’s wanting “ahead to Apple including the flexibility to react to media, reply on to messages in group chats, and extra.” The RCS Universal Profile 2.7 was finalized in June with two new options:

• “enabling Replies and Reactions (together with Customized Reactions) to despatched and obtained messages”
• “for the message sender, to Edit, Recall and Delete message that they despatched earlier for themselves and the message recipient”