All articles tagged with #rcs
Google's latest Android update allows employers to archive and monitor RCS and SMS texts on work-managed devices, reducing privacy for employees and highlighting the shift from end-to-end encryption to compliance-focused messaging archiving, primarily affecting enterprise users.
Google has introduced an Android update that allows employers to archive and access employees' RCS and SMS texts on work-managed devices, effectively ending the privacy of personal messages on these devices despite previous end-to-end encryption, raising concerns about employee privacy and monitoring.
The latest Universal Profile 3.1 update enhances RCS with support for the xHE-AAC audio codec, improving the quality of voice messages and shared audio clips, along with other features like better spam reporting and security, with these changes expected to roll out through apps like Google Messages.
Google Messages is rolling out new features including 'Snooze notifications' and 'Delete for everyone' to enhance user control and privacy, along with options to customize group chat icons and view RCS status, aligning its functionality with modern messaging services.
The article discusses the decline of traditional SMS and RCS messaging due to increasing spam and security concerns, highlighting WhatsApp's new features like usernames and PINs to enhance privacy, and contrasting this with new offerings from X and ongoing developments in encrypted messaging, suggesting a shift towards more secure, protected messaging platforms.
The article argues that texting on iPhones and Android devices is becoming less secure due to spam and scam risks, especially with the rise of RCS and SMS vulnerabilities. WhatsApp's introduction of usernames and PIN codes for messaging is seen as a major step toward more secure, opt-in communication, potentially leading to a decline in traditional texting by 2025. The shift aims to combat increasing spam and scam attacks, making protected messaging platforms like WhatsApp more appealing.
Google Messages has updated its 'New chat' page to prominently display which contacts have RCS enabled, using badges and dynamic color theming to make it easier to identify RCS contacts without extra steps, enhancing user experience and RCS adoption visibility.
The article criticizes Apple for not implementing secure RCS messaging, unlike Google, which offers encrypted RCS between Android devices. This lack of cooperation between Apple and Google leaves users vulnerable, as highlighted by the FBI. The author suggests switching to secure messaging platforms like Signal, as Apple and Google prioritize market strategies over consumer security.
Recent security concerns have emerged around RCS (Rich Communication Services), a messaging protocol promoted by Google and Samsung, due to its lack of end-to-end encryption when used across platforms like iOS and Android. The FBI and CISA have highlighted vulnerabilities, especially after revelations of Chinese hackers exploiting U.S. networks. This has led to warnings against using RCS for secure communication, with experts suggesting alternatives like WhatsApp or Signal. The situation underscores the contrasting approaches of Apple and Google to messaging security, with Apple's iMessage offering more robust encryption.
The FBI has raised concerns about the security of RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging, which lacks end-to-end encryption when not using Google Messages on both ends. While RCS offers enhanced features over SMS, its security is compromised when used between iPhones and Androids without a secure bridge. Despite these issues, users are advised to continue using RCS, as it is more secure than SMS, but to avoid sending sensitive information. A potential solution could involve Apple and Google collaborating to ensure full encryption across their messaging platforms.
Verizon has announced that its "Advanced Messages" feature will be discontinued in Samsung Messages starting in 2025, requiring users to switch to Google Messages to continue using features like sending large files and receiving read receipts. This change is part of the broader adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS), which enhances messaging capabilities between Android and Apple devices. However, RCS messages are not end-to-end encrypted, raising privacy concerns amid ongoing cybersecurity threats.
Google's push for cross-platform RCS messaging has hit a major security snag, as the lack of end-to-end encryption between Android and iPhone users has raised concerns, especially following warnings from the FBI and CISA. While Google and the GSMA are working on encryption solutions, the current vulnerabilities have led to recommendations for users to switch to more secure messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal. Meanwhile, Apple's limited support for RCS and Samsung's shift from its own messaging app to Google Messages further complicate the landscape.
Google is facing criticism for misleading claims about end-to-end encryption in its Google Messages app. Tech blogger John Gruber argues that the app's Play Store listing inaccurately suggests all conversations are encrypted, when in fact, encryption is only available for RCS chats between users of the latest Google Messages version. Gruber highlights that many messages, especially those involving iPhone users or older Android devices, remain unencrypted. He also criticizes the lack of RCS support in Google Voice, despite Google's advocacy for the messaging standard.
The FBI and CISA are urging Americans to use encrypted messaging and phone calls to protect against ongoing cyberattacks, particularly from Chinese hackers linked to the Salt Typhoon group. These attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in US telecommunications networks, prompting calls for stronger encryption practices. While Android-to-Android and iPhone-to-iPhone communications are secure, cross-platform messaging lacks full encryption, highlighting the need for secure apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The situation has sparked political action and discussions on balancing encryption with lawful access.
Google's push for cross-platform RCS messaging has hit a major setback due to security vulnerabilities and warnings from the FBI and CISA about using responsibly encrypted platforms. Despite Samsung's move to consolidate messaging on Google Messages, the lack of end-to-end encryption has led to recommendations for users to switch to more secure apps like WhatsApp or Signal. Apple's recent iOS update allowing users to change default messaging apps further complicates the situation, potentially benefiting Meta's encrypted platforms.