RCS encryption explained: How secure is RCS messaging for businesses?

Explore how RCS messaging secures business communications with TLS encryption, verified senders, global compliance, and what’s next on the path toward full end-to-end protection.

Nina Vresnik Content Marketing Specialist
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Security is often the first question businesses ask when exploring RCS messaging.

Unlike SMS, which sends messages in plain text, RCS provides encryption and verified sender protections that significantly improve message security. 

Still, many teams are unsure whether RCS matches the safety of fully end-to-end encrypted apps like WhatsApp, and whether it’s ready for sensitive use cases like banking, healthcare, or government services.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

  • The difference between TLS encryption in transit and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in RCS
  • Why business RCS messages aren’t yet fully E2EE, and how Google and telecom partners are evolving the standard
  • How Infobip ensures secure delivery, verified senders, and regulatory compliance worldwide
  • How fallback channels like WhatsApp and secure SMS keep messages protected when RCS isn’t supported

What is RCS and how is it different from SMS?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) was developed by the GSMA as a modern upgrade to SMS, bringing richer media, verified branding, and interactive features directly into the native messaging app on supported devices.

A side by side visual comparing an SMS to RCS. On the left side, we can see the RCS message coming from a verified user. The message says "Great choice Jane! Here are a few ideas on how to make your space attractive and functional at the same time." Below we can see interactions such as buttons for in-message purchases. On the right side, we can see an SMS message, with no images or interactions. The message says "We were unable to process your scheduled payment funds. Please log in to your account to resolve the issue.

Quick recap of RCS

  • Built for richer engagement: Supports read receipts, branded sender IDs, carousels, buttons, and rich media
  • Native integration: Pre-installed on most Android devices via Google Messages or carrier apps, requiring no additional downloads
  • Business-ready: Designed to handle both person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) messaging use cases

Is RCS encrypted? Yes, but it differs for P2P vs A2P

  • P2P (Person-to-Person): When two users chat via Google Messages, RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and receiver can read the content.
  • A2P (Business Messaging): When brands send messages to customers, RCS uses TLS encryption in transit. This ensures messages are protected as they travel between the brand, Infobip, carriers, and the recipient’s device, but it’s not yet end-to-end encrypted.
  • Google is actively working with telecom operators and the GSMA to extend end-to-end encryption to business messaging in future updates.
Visual type: Simple diagram / flow illustration Concept: Title: “Encryption in RCS: P2P vs A2P” • Left side (P2P): Two smartphones facing each other with a padlock icon directly between them. Caption: “End-to-End Encrypted – Only sender and receiver can read.” • Right side (A2P): A flow line showing: Brand → Infobip → Carrier → Customer Device. Along the path, padlock icons appear on the arrows, labeled “TLS in transit.” Caption: “Encrypted during transfer, not end-to-end.” • Footer note (lighter text): “Future updates aim to bring end-to-end encryption to business messaging.”

For non-RCS users, Infobip ensures message security with:

  • TLS encryption on SMS where supported.
  • Fallback to secure OTT channels like WhatsApp for sensitive or high-value communications.
Channel Encryption type Business messaging support
SMS None (plaintext) Yes
RCS P2P = End-to-end
A2P = TLS in transit 		Yes
WhatsApp End-to-end encrypted Yes

Understanding RCS encryption

RCS brings significant security improvements over SMS, but encryption levels differ depending on whether it’s used for business messaging (A2P) or person-to-person (P2P) chats.

Encryption in transit vs. end-to-end

  • Business (A2P) RCS: Messages are encrypted in transit as they move between the business sender, Infobip, Google’s RCS backend, the mobile network operator, and the recipient’s device. This TLS-based encryption prevents unauthorized access during delivery but does not encrypt messages all the way from sender to recipient device.
  • Person-to-person (P2P) RCS: When two users chat via Google Messages on supported devices, the conversation can be fully end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), ensuring only the two participants can read the content.

Why A2P RCS is not fully E2EE yet

  • Cloud routing: Business messages often need to route through cloud infrastructure to handle high volumes, cross-carrier delivery, and automatic fallback to SMS or WhatsApp for non-RCS users
  • Verification and trust: RCS includes sender verification and message logging features to prevent spoofing and phishing. To support this, some message metadata must remain readable to authorized systems
  • Analytics and compliance: Businesses need access to delivery receipts, read statuses, and interaction metrics. Full E2EE would currently block these features, so encryption in transit is used instead
Visual type: Simple diagram / flow illustration Concept: Title: “Encryption in RCS: P2P vs A2P” • Left side (P2P): Two smartphones facing each other with a padlock icon directly between them. Caption: “End-to-End Encrypted – Only sender and receiver can read.” • Right side (A2P): A flow line showing: Brand → Infobip → Carrier → Customer Device. Along the path, padlock icons appear on the arrows, labeled “TLS in transit.” Caption: “Encrypted during transfer, not end-to-end.” • Footer note (lighter text): “Future updates aim to bring end-to-end encryption to business messaging.”

Common security questions about RCS

Security is a top consideration for businesses adopting new messaging channels. Here’s what you need to know about RCS encryption, sender verification, and cross-platform safety.

Is RCS safe for financial or healthcare use?

Yes, when implemented through a certified provider like Infobip.

  • Encryption in transit protects message content as it moves between the sender, carrier, and recipient.
  • Verified senders ensure only authenticated businesses can send RCS messages.
  • Infobip’s platform adheres to GDPR, local telecom regulations, and ISO-certified security standards.

These safeguards make RCS suitable for many regulated industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, while supporting secure notifications, fraud alerts, and patient communications.

Can messages be spoofed or intercepted?

  • Spoofing: RCS uses branded and verified sender IDs. Businesses must pass carrier and/or Google validation before sending messages. A blue checkmark appears next to verified senders, helping customers trust the message origin and reducing spam risks.
  • Interception: RCS messages are protected using TLS encryption in transit, preventing unauthorized access while the message travels across networks.

Infobip further enhances security with:

  • Brand verification for all clients
  • Secure APIs to prevent abuse
  • Telco-grade delivery infrastructure trusted by global carriers

What about iOS support?

  • With iOS 18, RCS is supported on both Android and iOS, improving interoperability and enabling rich messaging between devices.
  • Where RCS isn’t fully supported, Infobip automatically falls back to SMS or WhatsApp, ensuring message delivery while maintaining appropriate encryption levels.

What about interoperability across devices?

  • RCS is rapidly becoming a global standard for rich messaging on both Android and iOS platforms.
  • Infobip automatically handles cross-device compatibility, fallback routing, and message formatting, so campaigns reach all users consistently.
  • Looking ahead, Infobip will support the GSMA’s Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard once it becomes available, enabling cross-platform end-to-end encryption for business messaging.

How Infobip keeps RCS messaging secure

Infobip provides enterprise-grade security for RCS business messaging, ensuring messages are delivered safely, verified for authenticity, and compliant with global regulations.

Secure delivery infrastructure

  • Direct carrier connectivity: 800+ direct telco connections across 190+ countries ensure messages never take insecure, indirect paths
  • Local compliance routing: Infobip adheres to regional data residency and telecom regulations, ensuring lawful and safe message delivery
  • Certified security standards: Our platform is certified with ISO 27001 (Information Security) and ISO 27701 (Privacy Information Management), with data encrypted both at rest and in transit
Title: Shield/Network graphic • A large shield icon in the center labeled “Secure Delivery”. • Three callouts radiating out, each with a small icon + short text: o Globe + arrows: Direct carrier connectivity (800+ carriers / 190+ countries) o Document + checkmark: Local compliance routing o Lock + certificate: ISO 27001 / ISO 27701 certified
Title: Brand and Sender Verification Visual type: Chat bubble + checkmark graphic • A smartphone mockup showing a branded RCS chat thread. • At the top: sender name with a blue checkmark. • Three small labels around the phone: o Verified sender IDs (with shield/check icon) o Spam protection (with filter icon) o Business identity controls (with ID card icon)

Brand and sender verification

  • Verified sender IDs: All RCS messages are sent from authenticated, branded accounts to prevent spoofing or phishing
  • Spam protection: Built-in filtering and validation mechanisms stop unauthorized messages before they reach end users
  • Business identity controls: Infobip manages business verification with carriers and Google, ensuring a blue checkmark and trusted brand presence

Compliant fallback across channels

  • If a recipient’s device doesn’t support RCS, Infobip automatically falls back to secure SMS or WhatsApp, ensuring delivery without breaking compliance
  • Encryption integrity is maintained across fallback channels, preserving data protection and trust in every scenario
Visual showing fallback logic and secure messaging continuity. I tstarts with the entry point and showcases three same messages - first is whatsapp where the message reads "Hi Mark, you are now a VIP!". The second and third blocks show how the failover works, going from whatsapp to RCS, to SMS.

Industry examples and adoption

RCS is gaining traction across multiple regulated industries that require secure, compliant communication. Infobip enables these businesses to leverage RCS while ensuring fallback and encryption integrity.

Financial services

Financial institutions are adopting RCS for secure alerts and authentication flows:

  • Send transaction notifications, fraud warnings, and payment reminders using verified RCS brand IDs.
  • Use one-tap action buttons for card activation or secure login flows.
  • Automatically fallback to encrypted WhatsApp or SMS OTPs for customers without RCS support, ensuring compliance and message continuity.

Healthcare and public services

Hospitals and public agencies use RCS for patient updates and public safety alerts:

  • Send appointment reminders, vaccination notices, or health campaign updates via RCS rich cards.
  • Manage opt-ins and consent flows to comply with HIPAA and GDPR regulations.
  • In emergencies, Infobip’s secure SMS failover ensures critical updates reach every recipient instantly.

Retail and eCommerce

  • Verified branded promotions and interactive product showcases
  • Secure order confirmations and delivery tracking with RCS buttons and rich media
  • Fallback to WhatsApp or SMS to maintain security and coverage across the entire customer base

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