The GSMA has enacted a new specifications for RCS that includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.
Why does this matter? According to the GSMA’s technical director Tom Van Pelt, the new specifications define how to apply MLS within the context of RCS, ensuring that messages and other content such as files remain confidential and secure as they travel between clients. This 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, says Van Pelt.
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.
Van Pelt adds: “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.”
