On March 14, the GSM Association announced a new RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging standard, including E2EE based on the MLS security protocol, allowing for the first time the exchange of encrypted messages between platforms of different service providers.

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The GSMA said it will begin exploring enabling E2EE between iPhones and Androids from September 2024. E2EE is a security and privacy feature that prevents third parties — such as messaging providers or carriers — from viewing the contents of messages. The GSMA said the new RCS standard was developed in collaboration with mobile operators, device manufacturers, and technology vendors, including Apple.

End-to-end encryption is supported in iMessage from the get-go, according to an Apple spokesperson. The company will support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.

While its proprietary iMessage service already supports E2EE, it hasn't yet applied to RCS messages because the RCS standard isn't cross-platform. Google Messages also enables E2EE by default for RCS messages, but only between Android users, not between iMessage users or users of other RCS apps on Android.

A Google spokesperson said the company is committed to providing a secure messaging experience and will work as quickly as possible to adopt the new RCS standard across its mobile ecosystem.

(According to The Verge)