Protect your phone from hackers and RCS text messaging, explained NECN [Video]

In the past few months, people have probably seen the acronym “RCS” pop up in their messages while texting. It allows features between iPhone and Android users, like seeing when the other person is typing a message, but the FBI suggests Americans use encrypted apps due to cybersecurity issues.

Apple recently introduced its latest software update, iOS18. It allows iPhone users to message Android users with high-resolution photos, videos, read receipts and view when someone is texting back.

“It’s called Rich Communication Services, RCS, and what that does it gives you the ability to talk to somebody who has an Android, but you get to see the three little dots just like you do on message, so it’s really cool, and it’s really great, but it does come with some risks,” said Delaney Duffey, an associate systems engineer at NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Unlike iMessage, Duffey said RCS is not encrypted end-to-end, which means it’s not protected.

“Which is why …