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Apple and Google Encrypt RCS Chats
Coverage from EFF, Droid Life, and others
Apple and Google are extending end-to-end encryption to RCS conversations between iPhone and Android devices, while Google is also bringing client-side encrypted Gmail to eligible enterprise users on Android and iOS.
The RCS rollout uses GSMA RCS Universal Profile 3.0 and Messaging Layer Security, but availability remains dependent on compatible software, carriers, and supported messaging clients. The developments improve protection for message contents while leaving metadata and some cloud backup risks unresolved.
The story now emphasizes that Apple and Google’s RCS encryption is moving into broader real-world deployment, with Apple marking it as beta on its side, while Google’s encrypted Gmail rollout is framed more specifically for qualifying Workspace enterprise users.
The story has broadened from RCS encryption alone to include Google Workspace Gmail client-side encryption on mobile, while also adding more specific implementation details about the RCS standard and rollout path. The current version clarifies that cross-platform RCS encryption depends on GSMA Universal Profile 3.0 and MLS, and that Gmail encryption now requires enterprise licensing and administrator setup.