GSMA announces E2EE for RCS with Apple iOS support



 GSMA Newsroom:

Tom Van Pelt, Technical Director, GSMA

In my last post, ‘RCS Now in iOS: a New Chapter for Mobile Messaging‘, I celebrated the integration of Rich Communication Services (RCS) with Apple’s iOS 18, a culmination of years of collaboration across mobile operators, device manufacturers, and technology providers. Today, I am pleased to announce the next milestone: the availability of new GSMA specifications for RCS that include end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.

Most notably, the new specifications define how to apply MLS within the context of RCS. These procedures ensure that messages and other content such as files remain confidential and secure as they travel between clients. That means that RCS will be the first large-scale messaging service to support interoperable E2EE between client implementations from different providers. Together with other unique security features such as SIM-based authentication, E2EE will provide RCS users with the highest level of privacy and security for stronger protection from scams, fraud and other security and privacy threats. 

These enhancements to support E2EE are the cornerstone of the new RCS Universal Profile release. In addition to E2EE, RCS Universal Profile 3.0 makes it easier for users to engage with businesses over RCS messaging through a richer deep link format and includes additional smaller enhancements such as improved codecs for audio messaging and easier management of subscriptions with business messaging senders. In addition, RCS continues to support a range of interoperable messaging functions between iOS and Android users, such as group messaging, the ability to share high-resolution media, and see read receipts and typing indicators.

I would like to thank all of the contributors for their support in developing and finalising these new specifications; they represent significant progress in enabling even more of a thriving RCS ecosystem built on the foundation of secure and private messaging for the benefit of end-users worldwide.


 Source:

 
Blah blah. Translation: They're finally gonna replace SMS and MMS with something more secure. So your bank doesn't have to worry about someone stealing that two-factor authentication code they just "texted" you.
 

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Blah blah. Translation: They're finally gonna replace SMS and MMS with something more secure. So your bank doesn't have to worry about someone stealing that two-factor authentication code they just "texted" you.
But how long until Apple and Google implement this new spec? And if you have an older device, will you still be able to get the upgraded client?
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASUS AMD x670E ROG Strix E-A
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 3060 Ti (but wanting to upgrade)
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    built-in
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When industry groups make these announcements, features will be arriving in 12-18 months. If you have an older device, you may not get RCS simply because your phone doesn't support iOS 18 or whatever Android release will have it.

RCS is a total replacement for SMS, which dates back to the 90's. Like everything, things will work side by side until one day in the future they just stop allowing SMS traffic. If you have a really old phone, you'll just have to continue using the old SMS method.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
When industry groups make these announcements, features will be arriving in 12-18 months. If you have an older device, you may not get RCS simply because your phone doesn't support iOS 18 or whatever Android release will have it.

Been there. Had that done to me, forcing me to replace a perfectly usable iPhone 7.
RCS is a total replacement for SMS, which dates back to the 90's. Like everything, things will work side by side until one day in the future they just stop allowing SMS traffic.
Like IPv4 and IPv6? :lmao:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASUS AMD x670E ROG Strix E-A
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 3060 Ti (but wanting to upgrade)
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24"
    Cooling
    AIO for CPU, fans for case
    Keyboard
    Das Keyboard 4
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 (white)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)

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