Rich Communication Services (RCS) brings a smarter, safer way for businesses and customers to connect. Beyond its interactive and branded features, RCS is designed with built-in layers of protection to ensure secure and trusted messaging experiences. Together with Sinch MessageMedia, you can deliver rich, secure conversations that build confidence and keep customers safe.
End-to-end encryption for personal chats
When you message someone who also has RCS chats turned on in Google Messages, your conversation automatically upgrades to end-to-end encryption. This means no one (not even Google) can read the content sent between you and the other person.
Security for business messages
Messages between users and verified RCS Business Agents are encrypted between Google servers and users’ devices, and between RCS Business Agents and Google servers.
Agents don’t use their own encryption keys because Google scans all messages for malicious content to protect users and businesses. Once received, messages are secured by any device-wide encryption settings the user has enabled. Google also deploys on-device security models to further safeguard message data.
Encryption in transit and at rest
RCS messages are encrypted while traveling between:
The user’s device (both Android and iOS) and Google
Google and trusted messaging partners like Sinch
Messages stored on Google’s servers are encrypted at rest, ensuring protection even when not actively in use. However, messages are not encrypted on users’ devices, and there may be brief periods when messages are unencrypted for policy, security, or spam prevention reasons.
Building trust and reducing fraud
RCS for Business helps establish a higher level of trust between brands and consumers. With verified sender IDs, visual brand elements, and Google’s advanced security standards, RCS reduces exposure to fraud, spoofing, and SMS phishing attacks.