GSM Association works on end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iOS and Android

The GSM Association, which is developing the RCS standard, is working to enable end-to-end encryption (E2EE) of messages sent between Android and iPhone. E2EE prevents third parties, such as a messaging service or mobile operator, from viewing messages. This was reported by The Verge.

GSMA CTO Tom Van Pelt said that the next milestone for RCS Universal Profile is "the first deployment of standardized, interoperable message encryption across different computing platforms." This step will help bridge a major gap in interoperability (the ability for different systems to communicate) - especially now that Apple has joined the RCS.

Apple's iOS 18 update has replaced SMS with RCS messages for texts sent to Android users. While this change won't eliminate green bubbles, it will finally allow cross-platform users to share high-resolution media, as well as see read flags and typing indicators. But Apple's RCS implementation lacks end-to-end encryption.

Not all RCS providers currently offer E2EE. Google Messages is one of the exceptions, as it started enabling E2EE by default for RCS messages in 2023. Apple's own iMessage system also supports E2EE, but it does not apply the same protection to RCS messages.