Apple to Support Encrypted RCS Messaging in Future Software Update

[MacRumors]

Apple says it will add support for a new Rich Communication Services (RCS) specification that includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent over the protocol in future software updates.

"End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the beginning, and now we are pleased to have helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA," said an Apple spokesperson. "We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates."

The GSM Association (GSMA), the organization responsible for developing the RCS standard, started working to enable E2EE on messages sent between Android and iPhone in September last year. It only announced the new RCS specification with E2EE support today, so it's not clear how long it will take Apple to incorporate the updated profile into its software. But at least it's coming.

Apple adopted RCS with last year's release of iOS 18.1, 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 E2EE – something Apple's proprietary iMessage system already supports.

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.

Google Messages already supports E2EE by default for RCS texts, but this applies only to conversations between Google Messages users. Messages exchanged with iPhone users or those using other RCS clients on Android are not encrypted.

Article Link: Apple to Support Encrypted RCS Messaging in Future Software Update

 

[captain kaos]

So, this is a fight back from the UK Gov demanding access to to iMessage??

 

[MasterControlProgram]

The bubbles will still be green though.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The bubbles will still be green though.

No one cares.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

They have been saying this for like 3 years now.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

This is great news. I just hope carriers don't drag their feet on this.

Besides that I'm sure discussion about this will be objective and rational.

 

[fockx]

Only to stop offering it instantly upon a governments request.

 

[facedmurkroots]

I turned this off immediately after updating the year it was released. I don’t know a single person using Android that uses the plain messaging app, it’s all WhatsApp.

 

[bviktor]

No one cares.

Studies say otherwise, sadly.

 

[Nozuka]

They have been saying this for like 3 years now.

The specification has been released today. No one has been saying that for 3 years, as it never happened before.

 

[bviktor]

Awesome, tho in my country the number of carriers that support (plain) RCS is still zero.

 

[MrRom92]

standard RCS and encrypted RCS should both have their own bubble colors

 

[MTWomg]

standard RCS and encrypted RCS should both have their own bubble colors

People should try to keep in mind the original purpose of bubble colors.

SMS is green, because it (used to) cost money. Green is the color of money. Carrier plans would include a small number of texts with pay-per-message billing after that number was exceeded. It was a thing. It was horrible.

iMessage is blue, because it is freeeee. Any data plan - and postpaid data plans in the US at the time universally included unlimited data - can easily absorb the amount of data used by text only messaging. Apple wanted to make it clear that these messages are different, even though you use the same app to send them. These messages don't cost you money.

These days, the bubbles work for Apple in encouraging young people to harass their friends into getting iPhones, so Apple will leave things the way they are.

 

[TriBruin]

No one cares.

Unfortunately, that is not true. There are a number of posters right on this board, that have stated they will not interact using messages with friends and family who use an Android because of the green bubbles. They consider it beneath them. Imagine valuing your self worth based on what phone type your friends/family uses.

 

[baconcat_8964]

The bubbles will still be green though.

So what people (in the US) care about is the green bubble versus blue bubble, not the RCS versus SMS technology, right?

 

[mazz0]

I turned this off immediately after updating the year it was released. I don’t know a single person using Android that uses the plain messaging app, it’s all WhatsApp.

Why would you turn it off though? It costs nothing to have on.

 

[MTWomg]

So what people (in the US) care about is the green bubble versus blue bubble, not the RCS versus SMS technology, right?

RCS solved the non cultural problems. What remains are small things (being able to edit, tap backs) and cultural stuff, like bubble colors.

 

[nuff_said]

Google Messages already supports E2EE by default for RCS texts, but this applies only to conversations between Google Messages users. Messages exchanged with iPhone users or those using other RCS clients on Android are not encrypted.

Will Apple implement E2EE the same way? Meaning only between iDevices and not with Android?

 

[Homme]

love that this will be for the iPhone XR and not for the expensive iPhone X.

Something else X users miss out.

 

[baconcat_8964]

RCS solved the non cultural problems. What remains are small things (being able to edit, tap backs) and cultural stuff, like bubble colors.

The loudest voice on the RCS/SMS debate was Google. Seems like they're just using the bubble colour to push Apple adopting RCS technology. Since Apple announced and implemented RCS in iOS, Google stopped talking about this topic. Even though the bubble colour did not change.

 

[MTWomg]

The loudest voice on the RCS/SMS debate was Google. Seems like they're just using the bubble colour to push Apple adopting RCS technology. Since Apple announced and implemented RCS in iOS, even Google stopped talking about this topic.

RCS is a plain win over SMS and improves the experience of messaging an Android phone, so it's a plain win for everyone not involved in degrading experience quality to sell iPhones. Because of that push, messaging got better.

 

[211]

A pity only EE and BT use RCS in the UK. A lot of providers still don't do Visual Voicemail

 

[JuicyGoomba]

A pity only EE and BT use RCS in the UK. A lot of providers still don't do Visual Voicemail

This is false information.

Since 18.2 the likes of O2 have supported it.

Most of the issues are on Apple's side of things, not the carriers. It was apple who also insisted that carriers run their own RCS servers for it to work on iPhone, after they'd all decommissioned their previous RCS servers in favour of Google's.

It isn't even a privacy issue, as it's all encrypted. It's just Apple being Apple and forcing others into complying with their draconic ways.

 

[JuicyGoomba]

RCS is a plain win over SMS and improves the experience of messaging an Android phone, so it's a plain win for everyone not involved in degrading experience quality to sell iPhones. Because of that push, messaging got better.

RCS is superior as it's built in and cross platform.

The whole green Vs blue bubble thing is very much an American thing and only helps solidify the poor opinion the rest of the world has of that country. It's the epitome of American culture and it's toxic AF.

The rest of the world uses WhatsApp anyway.

 

[MTWomg]

This is false information.

Since 18.2 the likes of O2 have supported it.

Most of the issues are on Apple's side of things, not the carriers. It was apple who also insisted that carriers run their own RCS servers for it to work on iPhone, after they'd all decommissioned their previous RCS servers in favour of Google's.

It isn't even a privacy issue, as it's all encrypted. It's just Apple being Apple and forcing others into complying with their draconic ways.

Apple also doesn't support RCS Universal Profile 2.7, which ads tap backs and editing and a bunch of other nice stuff. I guess we'll get those features with E2EE, since that is part of profile 3.0. Honestly, editing and reactions are a bigger deal than E2EE for most people.