According to a statement by the GSM Association (GSMA), the end -to -end encrypted (E2EE) rich communication services (RCS) will be possible soon between iPhone and Android devices. The newly updated RCS standards provide E2EE support based on the Messaging Layer Safety (MLS) protocol. With this update, a encryption system that works together for the first time among different platform providers will come into play.
GSMA announced that it started to work in September last year to enable E2EE messaging between Android and iPhone devices. It is a safety feature that prevents three -end encryption, message providers or mobile operators from accessing the message content. According to GSMA, the new RCS standard was developed with the joint work of technology providers, including mobile operators, device manufacturers and Apple.
Apple and Google will support the new RCS standard
Apple spokesman Shane Bauer said, “End -to -end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology supported by imessage from the beginning. Now we are pleased to help RCS Universal Profile, which is published by GSMA, to direct this feature throughout the sector. ” Apple said it would offer iOS, iPados, macOS and watchos for future software updates.
Apple brought RCS support to iPhones with the iOS 18 update. However, although Apple’s special imessage system already offers E2EE support, this feature could not be generalized to RCS messaging because the previous RCS standard did not support cross platform. The Google Messages application also provided E2EE support for RCS messages, but this support was only valid for messages between Google messages users, and it was not reflected in messages made with imessage users or other RCS clients.
Google spokesman Ed Fernandez, “We have always been dependent on offering a safe messaging experience, and Google messages users have been using RCS messaging feature for years,” he said. Fernandez also said, “We are excited to see this new updated standard by GSMA, and we will work quickly to implement and spread this important user protection in the cross -platform RCS messaging with the mobile ecosystem,” he said.
There is no clear calendar about how long the implementation of the new RCS standard will take. However, Apple and Google’s descriptions indicate that this integration will take place with the next software updates. Mobile operators and other RCS client developers will be one of the most important factors to determine how quickly adapt to this new standard, and when users can experience this feature.