14 March 2025 – ​The GSM Association (GSMA) has ​officially announced that end-to-end ​encryption (E2EE) will be integrated into the Rica Communications Services (RCS), allowing secure messaging between iPhone and Android ​users. This update, which has been underway for months, marks an important step in improving ​privacy and security in mobile communications. With Apple and Google on board, users will soon be able to send encrypted messages without problems across platforms without ​worrying about third-party interception.

Why is the end of encryption important?

End-to-end encryption ensures that messages remain private between the sender and ​the receiver, thereby avoiding unauthorized access by third parties, including telecommunications providers, hackers and even government agencies. So ​far, this level of security ​was ​only available in specific ecosystems, ​such as Apple’s iMessage or Google messages. The absence of multiplatform encryption means that messages between ​iPhone users and Android are vulnerable. According to GSMA, the updated RCS standard corrects this deficiency by implementing the Message Layer Security ​Protocol (MLS).

What right to this security update?

The push for multiplatform encryption grew in 2023 when the GSMA, with Google, started working on the implementation of E2EE in RCS. Apple then joined the initiative, committing to integrate this technology into iOS. According to GSMA, mobile operators, device manufacturers ​and ​technology ​providers have collaborated ​to ​develop this enhanced security function.

Apple spokesman ​Shane Bauer stressed the ​role of the ​company in this effort, ​saying:

“End-to-end encroachment is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has been supporting from ​the beginning, and we are now pleading for helping to lead a ​cross-sectoral effort to make end-to-end encroachment ​on ​the GSMA’s Universal ​SCR Profile

This ​marks a significant change in Apple’s ​approach to messaging security, as the company ​had ​previously resisted the full ​integration of RCS encryption.

How ​will these iPhone and Android users affect?

Once implemented, the encrypted RCS message will allow users to safely exchange texts, media and other files on ​different operating systems. Features ​such as writing indicators, reading receipts and high resolution media ​exchanges will continue to work, but ​with the added ​benefit of E2EE.

Google Messages has long supported encrypted RCS communication, but only among Google Messages users. Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez stressed the importance of the updated standard, ​stating:

“We’ve ​always been committed to providing a secure messaging experience, ​and Google Messages users have an encrypted RCS message from end to end for years. We are delighted ​to see this updated GSMA specification and ​work as quickly as possible with ​the mobile ecosystem to implement and extend this important user protection to RCS multiplatform messaging. ​»

When will this function be available?

Although the universal RCS 3.0 profile, which includes ​E2EE, ​has been officially published, the deadline ​for its implementation remains uncertain. Apple has confirmed that RCS encrypted messaging support will be included in ​future updates for ​iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS. However, the exact deployment schedule has not yet been announced.

Industry analysts believe this feature ​could come with iOS 19, expected later this year. Since Apple focused on security and ​confidentiality, rigorous tests are likely to reach users.

How does this compare to other secure messaging applications?

With this update, RCS will become the first large-scale messaging service to support interoperable E2EE between different providers. ​However, it still faces competition from dedicated encrypted messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram. Unlike these applications, RCS does not ​require separate download – ​it is integrated into default email applications in most smartphones.

A possible disadvantage is that, unlike Signal and WhatsApp, which use the Signal protocol ​for ​encryption, RCS ​will rely on MLS. Although the SLM is a robust safety ​standard, its effectiveness in real scenarios ​is still ​being tested at scale.

According to GSMA, ​the new ​encryption ​model will ensure the ​confidentiality of messages throughout ​the transmission. The association ​stated:

“Messages and ​other ​content such as files remain confidential and secure while travelling between clients. RCS will be ​the ​first large-scale messaging service to support ​interoperable E2EEs between client implementations from different providers. In ​addition to other unique security features such as SIM authentication, E2EE will provide RCS users with the ​highest level of privacy and security for better protection against scams, fraud and other security and privacy ​threats. »

What are the challenges ​of implementing the ​E2EE for the SCN?

Despite the benefits, the implementation ​of the E2EE for the SCN presents several technical challenges. An important concern ​is ensuring compatibility ​between different device manufacturers ​and mobile networks. Unlike iMessage or WhatsApp, which operate in controlled ecosystems, RCS must operate through a variety of media and equipment.

Another issue is government regulation. ​Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden and France, expressed concern about the ​quantitative communications used for illicit activities. ​Law enforcement has ​already insisted on back door encryption, a position that technology companies, including Apple and Google, have resisted.

What will follow for the messaging ​safely?

The integration of E2EE ​into the CSR is a crucial moment in the evolution of digital communication. As multiplatform encryption becomes ​the norm, users will benefit from ​increased security ​and confidentiality regardless of their choice ​of ​device. While dedicated encrypted messaging applications such as ​Signal and WhatsApp will continue to offer robust alternatives, the ability to send fully secure messages ​using a phone’s ​default email application is a big victory for consumer ​privacy.

For ​now, users ​will ​have to wait for Apple and Google to implement updates incorporating the new universal RCS profile. ​Once ​available, this ​update will significantly improve the security of daily messaging, closing the long-standing gap between Android and iPhone ​communication.