Apple's Push for Encryption in RCS
In a curious change, Google Messages no longer shows that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) isn’t available in iPhone RCS conversations. As of last week, Google Messages indicated that Android-iPhone RCS conversations don’t support end-to-end encryption with a lock icon that features a slash. This is because Google Messages uses its own E2EE implementation for 1:1 and group chats. Apple wants encryption to be added to the RCS Universal Profile standard. It’s unclear whether that will happen by the time iOS 18 launches in the fall. Google will presumably adopt that standardized approach when it becomes available. As of today, Google has removed the crossed-out lock from iOS-Android conversations. This appears to be a server-side change with recent beta versions of Google Messages. The Evolution of RCS and Encryption in Google Messages The realm of digital communication is constantly evolving, with security and privacy taking center stage. Various messaging platforms have implemented encryption …
