Messaging applications are widely used to send text messages, multimedia messages, or other forms of communication between individuals or groups. These applications are typically designed for instant messaging and real-time communication. Some sample messaging applications include: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Signal, iMessage, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype and others. These are just a few examples of messaging applications, and there are many others available, each with its own unique features and focus. The choice of messaging app often depends on individual preferences, security concerns, and the specific needs of the user or organization.
Several widely-deployed messaging applications have developed their own protocols. While these protocols are similar, no two are close enough to interoperate. As a result, each application vendor has had to maintain their own protocol stack and independently build trust in the quality of the protocol. The goal of the
working group is to develop a standard messaging security protocol for human-to-human(s) communication with the above security and deployment properties so that applications can share code, and so that there can be shared validation of the protocol (as there has been with TLS 1.3).
This effort is likely to have a major impact on enterprises who use messaging application. This session will explain the major components of MLS and some of the new security architecture.