Apple is finally bringing RCS messaging to the iPhone

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

RCS and Encryption

  • RCS by default is not end-to-end encrypted; it typically offers only TLS in transit.
  • Google’s Messages app adds E2EE via a proprietary extension using the Signal protocol, but:
    • It only works when both sides use Google Messages.
    • It depends on Google-run key servers and isn’t available to other RCS clients (including Apple).
  • Several commenters see this as a PR win for Google that blurs the difference between “RCS” and “Google’s E2EE RCS.”
  • Some hope RCS could gain standardized E2EE in the GSMA “Universal Profile,” but note it isn’t there today.

Apple’s Motives and Lock-In

  • Many view Apple’s RCS move as minimal, “malicious compliance”: green bubbles remain, and iMessage still has more features and E2EE.
  • Some argue Apple is preempting regulators (EU, US, China) on interoperability; others note EU explicitly kept iMessage out of DMA scope.
  • iMessage is criticized as a lock-in tool (problems when switching away, deregistration issues, social pressure around blue bubbles).

Google’s Role and Messaging History

  • RCS infrastructure is often run by Google via Jibe because carriers don’t want to operate their own servers.
  • Several commenters distrust Google’s role: centralization, plaintext visibility for non-E2EE RCS, and dependence on a company with a long history of starting and killing messaging products (GTalk, Hangouts, Allo, Duo, etc.).
  • Opinions split on Google Messages: some find it fine; others think “nobody uses it” or recall past failed integrations with SMS.

Green vs Blue Bubbles and Accessibility

  • Green still indicates non‑iMessage traffic (SMS/RCS), which:
    • Signals lack of iMessage features and often no E2EE.
    • In group chats can degrade media quality and reliability.
  • Debate over whether bubble colors are primarily:
    • A UX signal about protocol/encryption/feature set.
    • A social marker that stigmatizes non‑iPhone users.
  • Multiple comments criticize Apple’s color contrast (white text on bright green/blue) as failing accessibility guidelines; others counter that iOS has system-wide accessibility settings to increase contrast.

RCS vs SMS/MMS and Global Context

  • RCS is seen as an improvement over SMS/MMS (better media, IP-based, can work over Wi‑Fi), but:
    • Still tied to phone numbers and carriers.
    • Considered outdated or irrelevant in regions where WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram dominate.
  • Mixed views on regulators:
    • Some fear RCS as a surveillance-friendly, cleartext baseline.
    • Others note that in practice, in many places, people already rely on OTT encrypted apps instead of SMS/RCS.