In a striking development, the FBI and CISA (US cyber defense agency) are now advising Americans to halt standard text messaging between iPhones and Android devices, pushing instead for fully encrypted communications. This warning comes amid growing concerns about Chinese cyber activities targeting US networks.
According to recent briefings, FBI and CISA officials are explicitly recommending that Americans switch to encrypted messaging apps for all their communications. While messaging within the same platform (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android) remains secure, cross-platform texting lacks proper encryption protection.
CISA's Jeff Greene emphasized that encryption remains the best defense against potential threats. "If the adversary intercepts encrypted data, it becomes impossible to decode," Greene explained during the briefing.
The warning specifically targets the vulnerability in RCS (Rich Communication Services), the new texting standard recently adopted by Apple. While promoted as an advancement in cross-platform messaging, RCS currently lacks end-to-end encryption when used between iPhones and Android devices.
Security experts recommend alternatives like WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger - all offering full encryption across different devices. These platforms also provide encrypted voice and video calls, making them preferred choices given the current security climate.
The timing of this warning is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with Apple's upcoming iOS 18.2 release, which will allow iPhone users to change their default messaging app from iMessage to alternatives.
This alert follows a joint notice from FBI, CISA, NSA, and other Five Eyes agencies regarding ongoing telecommunications network breaches. The situation highlights the growing need for robust encryption in everyday communications, especially as cyber threats continue to evolve.