Google is testing end-to-end encryption, and Apple has promised to introduce it. “End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the beginning, and now we are pleased to have helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA,” Apple said. “We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.”
Right now, the smart money has RCS encryption as a potential addition within iOS 26.2. This makes sense given Apple sees privacy as a human right, and protection of that right demands E2EE in its messaging apps.
CISA says things are dangerous
CISA pulled no punches in the recommendations it made. It warned that potential targets (particularly in military, government, or political positions) should immediately review the security protections they have in place. “Highly targeted individuals should assume that all communications between mobile devices — including government and personal devices — and internet services are at risk of interception or manipulation,” it warns.