Apple will release the encryption feature in a future update.
Last year, Apple introduced RCS, or Rich Communication Services, in iOS as a successor to the SMS standard. Google did this last year as well. RCS is intended to improve conversations between iPhones and Android smartphones.
Encryption Becomes Standard for RCS
RCS has existed for a while, but it took some time for companies and operators to embrace the feature. Orange was the first to do so in Belgium. This was mainly due to the lack of encryption and privacy, but according to the GSM Association, these issues will soon be resolved, writes Engadget. The end-to-end encryption is based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.
RCS has much in common with these new messaging services, which have increasingly pushed SMS to the background in recent years. Like these services, RCS messages are sent as data traffic via Wi-Fi or mobile network. In addition to text messages, you can share photos, videos, documents, and location data. RCS also supports group conversations, and you can see in real-time if the recipient has seen your message or is typing a response.
In a response to 9to5Mac, Apple stated that it had been actively involved in the development of E2EE for RCS. The company announced that support for the new encryption standard will be added to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in a future software update.
It is not yet known exactly when Apple will roll out the update.
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