I’m an avid iPhone user and having mixed feelings about incorporating RCS messaging for Android on iPhones. Will this compromise security?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 14 Pro Max
I don't think you actually understand what RCS is.
On your iPhones message app, you can send either iMessages (blue bubbles), or SMS text messages (green bubbles)
SMS text messages (SMS = Standard Messaging Service) are actually very unsecure.
For example, since SMS messages are actually not encrypted at all, anyone with a mini cell tower can pick up text messages being sent and received in that area, and read them without issue since there's not any encryption (this is just an example of how it's not secure, not saying this is actually happening to the average person)
RCS text messages (RCS = Rich Communication Service) is simply an upgrade to SMS which does include proper encryption (Since Google has stepped up and streamlined RCS and made the new standard)
It will be very similar to iMessage (iMessage will still be better), and will allow you to send high quality pictures, video, see typing indicators, read receipts, and most importantly encrypted messages. Apple has since confirmed all of these features as well!
Apple also stated that it will be working with GSMA, and Google to improve the encryption on RCS as a whole.
TLDR: You have absolutely nothing to worry about, this is literally just going to add more security to your phone AND improve your texting experience with anyone who doesn't own an iPhone :)
wakawaka234 wrote:
I understand that the original post is old, but there is activity on the thread from others from only a few days ago, so I didn't think there was anything wrong with responding. I wasn't trying to second-guess anyone's responses; I'm just genuinely curious as to what motivated the original question. But if I broke some sort of guideline for the discussion board then I apologize. I intended no harm.
No, you didn't violate any norms. It's just that the original poster seems to have moved on. They may see this and respond to you but they may not. New folks often miss the date on the original post in a thread that's still active (so do long-time members sometimes!). I'm sorry if it came off a bit curt. Definitely continue the conversation with the folks who still seem to be engaged.
The whole thing is a non-issue for me. I have no problem communicating with people who have Androids. No one I know seems to have blue-bubble envy. I do admit to a certain fascination with the discussion.
I transfer all of my truly private information on flash paper through dead drops. ;-)
Saegzz wrote:
Not to mention SMS messages can be read by your cell phone carrier
Theoretically, yes. In practice, not so much. Delivered messages aren't kept on the servers. Undelivered ones only stat there for a few days. Unless you are an activist, journalist of politician (or a criminal), the risk is comparatively small. There are many other things that your carrier knows about you that they keep and sell, for example, your locations.
TabloidMonks wrote:
Gotta love AI responses.
Interestingly, though these forums have seen a huge increase in the number of people who are obviously copying their answers directly from ChatGPT, this thread doesn't seem to have any of those. If anyone in this thread is using AI, they're being reasonably subtle about it.
All in all, this thread has been a fairly interesting (and civil) discussion.
So why was there so much reluctance to incorporate RCS messaging?
I don’t trust Google
Saegzz wrote:
I don’t trust Google
I do. I trust them to treat me and my data like a product they can sell.
Exactly!
What kind of top secret stuff are you texting over there? Surly your agency has its own super secure texting platform.
I think paranoia is the most likely explanation. The most threatening of parties can likely get around any encryption.
Thank you for the more detailed explanation. I was hoping you or MrHoffman would pop by.
Actually, I was a contractor for AT&T shortly after divestiture and worked on network provisioning, so I am intimately familiar with SS7 and how it works, and its limitations.
I agree, as user of both platforms, I believe this will benefit IOS more than Android, as it is more secured to send messages to everyone in your phonebook
Thank you, Mr.Hoffman for explaining things. Again.
Compromise security?! What are you talking about.
Its just enhanced text messaging.
Incorporating RCS messaging for Android on iPhone can compromise my security?
