On two separate occasions this year, Apple was under the spotlight because hackers were able to break into its system and steal photos sent through its iMessage feature. Though the patches were quickly fixed, the incidents still raised some doubt among consumers. Now, reports are saying that messages, photos and videos sent through iMessage can be forwarded to authorities.
What Happens To Messages?
According to Engadget, iMessage conversations are logged onto Apple's servers just as they are sent. When the metadata is stored, they are kept private until authorities seek them out. That is, police will need a court order in order to get access to these messages.
Of course, the messages remain encrypted even when submitted to authorities. They do, however, list the time, date and frequency of contact of the messages. And though the capacity is limited, it may also include location information.
iMessages vs SMS Messages
As The Intercept discusses, each number that a message is sent to goes into Apple's servers. After, it is determined whether or not the message will be routed via SMS or iMessage. Apple users know this well - blue bubbled messages are iMessages while green bubbled messages are SMSs.
Apparently, iMessages are more secure than SMS messages. But either way, a log is created. As mentioned earlier, this log includes the date and time of the message, along with the sender's IP address, which could then provide their location.
Police Gaining Access To iMessage
While it may not seem likely that police authorities will want to look into messages of everyday people, it is alarming how easy it actually is. Apple is apparently required to turn over these logs for systems such as "pen registers" and "trap and trace devices." These systems are easy to obtain, especially when a criminal investigation is ongoing.
These logs, as confirmed by Apple, are within its systems for only 30 days. However, under a court order, Apple may be compelled to extend its holding.
