Apple has once again responded quickly to new allegations from security researchers who have claimed the company could easily spy on users of its iMessage IM platform for iOS and Mac OS X devices.
The company moved swiftly to play down fears after Quarkslab pointed out, because Apple controls the end-to-end encryption of all content sent within iMessage, it would be simple for them to access content.">Quarkslab pointed out, because Apple controls the end-to-end encryption of all content sent within iMessage, it would be simple for them to access content.
As everything is handled in house, Quarkslab alleges, Apple could choose to "change the key" at any time in order to read iMessages or even pass the content over to governments who make security requests.
The group says Apple isn't doing it at the moment, but could if it wanted to. The Cupertino-based company sort-of conceded through a spokesperson that it would be possible, but said it has zero plans to do so.
An Apple spokeswoman told PCMag: "iMessage is not architected to allow Apple to read messages.The research discussed theoretical vulnerabilities that would require Apple to re-engineer the iMessage system to exploit it, and Apple has no plans or intentions to do so."
Earlier this year, Apple was also summoned to defend the security of its iMessage platform against allegations the company was compliant in handing over user data for NSA security requests.
By the same token, the company has also received praise with the Drug Enforcement Agency claiming Apple's encryption makes the messages "impossible" to intercept.
