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Google has officially announced the adoption of Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol for its Messages app. The feature aims to make cross-platform messaging safer by relying on end-to-end encryption in group chats.
As one of the most popular messaging apps with over 1 billion users, Google Messages is widely used by Android users globally to exchange messages. The app has long used end-to-end encryption, and in 2022, it also introduced the feature to group chats. However, Google now wants to take a step further and add Messaging Layer Security (MLS) to the Messages app.
Messaging Layer Security (MLS) was a new protocol born in 2017. It provides end-to-end encryption for group messaging. MLS was developed by a group of security experts from various organizations, aka Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The protocol uses sophisticated cryptographic techniques to guarantee the confidentiality and security of messages. Additionally, it offers defense against intrusions such as message forging, manipulation, and eavesdropping.
Messaging Layer Security (MLS) is coming to Google Messages
Back in 2017, an Oxford paper alluded to the concerns around group messaging and the possibility of data leaks if even one member is compromised. So if you’re a Google user that wants to send messages to outside messaging apps without security concerns, MLS is here to make that come true. The protocol makes cross-platform messaging more convenient while ensuring its safety through end-to-end encryption.
“With the recent publication of the IETF’s Message Layer Security (MLS) specification RFC 9420, messaging users can look forward to this reality,” Google said in its blog post. “For the first time, MLS enables practical interoperability across services and platforms, scaling to groups of thousands of multi-device users.”
Google also noted that implementing MLS onto the Android codebase would be open source to support its deployment across the industry. The tech giant didn’t mention the time frame for implementation.
The adoption of MLS by Google is part of a larger movement to enhance the confidentiality and security of messaging services. Several high-profile data breaches and privacy incidents using messaging applications have occurred in recent years. The safety and privacy of their messages are thus a growing issue for many users. The apps are striving to address the concerns by adding more security-driven features.