ARSecure: A Novel End-to-End Encryption Messaging System Using Augmented Reality

Alsop, Hamish; Alsop, Douglas; Solomon, Joseph; Aumento, Liam; Butters, Mark; Millar, Cameron; Maglaras, Leandros; Yigit, Yagmur; Moradpoor, Naghmeh; Canberk, Berk

Abstract

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) ensures that only the intended recipient(s) can read messages. Popular instant messaging (IM) applications such as Signal, WhatsApp, Apple's iMessage, and Telegram claim to offer E2EE. However, client-side scanning (CSS) undermines these claims by scanning all messages, including text, images , audio, and video files, on both sending and receiving ends. While industry and government entities advocate for CSS to combat illicit activities such as child exploitation and terrorism, it raises serious privacy concerns by enabling potential surveillance and data interception. In this paper, we introduce ARSecure, a novel end-to-end encryption messaging solution utilizing augmented reality glasses to enhance privacy and security. By offloading encryption and decryption to a secure external device, ARSecure mitigates client-side vulnerabilities, ensuring tamper-proof, private communication in critical environments. This approach effectively counteracts CSS-based threats, providing a robust alternative to traditional E2EE messaging systems.

Citation

Alsop, H., Alsop, D., Solomon, J., Aumento, L., Butters, M., Millar, C., Maglaras, L., Yigit, Y., Moradpoor, N., & Canberk, B. (2025, June). ARSecure: A Novel End-to-End Encryption Messaging System Using Augmented Reality. Poster presented at IEEE DCOSS-IoT 2025, Tuscany (Lucca), Italy

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: IEEE DCOSS-IoT 2025
• Start Date: Jun 9, 2025
• End Date: Jun 11, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Apr 14, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2025
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Augmented Reality (AR), End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), Privacy-Preserving Communication, Secure Messaging
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4239390
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/conhome/1800455/all-proceedings
• External URL: https://dcoss.org