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EFF Launches ‘Encrypt It Already’ to Push Default End-to-End Encryption Across Big Tech

The initiative pairs specific demands with transparency rules, arriving as iOS 26.3 beta shows groundwork for encrypted RCS.

Overview

  • EFF’s campaign lays out three tracks—Keep Your Promises, Defaults Matter, Protect Our Data—naming Apple, Google, Meta, Bluesky, Telegram, and Ring with concrete tasks.
  • A top priority is interoperable end-to-end encrypted RCS from Apple and Google, with iOS 26.3 betas adding carrier settings that indicate preparation for RCS encryption but no launch timeline.
  • Unmet commitments flagged include Facebook Messenger group-message encryption and Bluesky’s promised encrypted direct messages.
  • Default protections urged include Telegram turning on encrypted DMs by default, WhatsApp enabling encrypted backups by default, and Ring making camera video encryption the default.
  • New safeguards requested encompass encrypted backups for Google Authenticator and Android, OS-level per-app AI permissions to block system AIs from secure chats, clear public and technical documentation, metadata minimization, and user action through enabling features and submitting feedback.