Text messages sent between iPhones and Android devices will soon benefit from end -to -end encryption (E2EE), after the GSM association (GSM (GSM association (Gsma) yesterday New published specifications For the rich communication services (RCS) Protocol which includes the management of the E2EE multiplate platform.
RCS is a long -standing effort to allow SMS multiplatform communications with richer features, such as group messaging, typing indicators, reading receipts and file sharing – similar to what messaging applications such as WhatsApp provide.
While a lot The manufacturers of Android handsets had adopted RCS over the years, Apple was the main aberrant value until it finally succumbed to the introduction of iOS 18 last year. Most basic RCS features have been available for multiplatform messaging since then, but E2EE has so far missed – so far.
Sales argument
E2EE, for uninitiated, is a data encryption method which guarantees that the sender and the recipient of a message can read its content. For technological companies, this promising promise of confidentiality is a major sales argument because it provides users that their messages are safe from clandestine spying. Apple has offered E2Ee since its launch of Imessage in 2011, although it only worked iOS devices, while WhatsApp finished its E2EE deployment in 2016 (and, again, it only worked between WhatsApp).
Google, for its part, previously added E2ee to its Application of own messagesBut encrypting messages between different customers not only, but entirely different different platforms are delivered with its own unique challenges. This is where the GSMA universal profile Enter the fray, providing a standardized specification for coherent and interoperable RCS messaging between devices, networks and operators.
Based on the safety of the cryptographic messaging layer (MLS) Protocol, the new E2EE mechanism in the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 is an essential element of the interoperable jigsaw, which will ultimately allow that iPhone and Android users communicate in complete safety via the native messaging application of their device.
“This means that RCS will be the first large -scale messaging service to support E2EE Interoperable between the implementations of customers of different suppliers,” said GSMA technical director Tom Van Pelt statement. “With other unique safety features such as SIM -based authentication, E2EE will provide the highest level of confidentiality and security RCS for higher protection against scams, fraud and other security and confidentiality threats. “”
