Considered one of our favourite options of iOS 16 is the flexibility to edit and unsend iMessages. Simply long-press a message and you’ll select to edit or undo ship (we present you easy methods to edit and unsend messages right here). However advocates have raised issues that the system might be abused by dangerous actors–texting abuse is frequent amongst these in abusive relationships, and the flexibility to vary or conceal proof is regarding.
Whereas Apple has not addressed these issues publicly, some adjustments to the system in iOS 16 developer beta 4 appear focused particularly at them. You used to have quarter-hour to edit or unsend a message, and edited messages would solely present an “edited” tag to the recipient. The brand new guidelines are as follows:
- You solely have two minutes to finish Unsend a message.
- You continue to have quarter-hour to Edit a message, however you possibly can solely edit it as much as 5 instances.
- Both get together can faucet the “Edited” label to see a listing of prior edits.
With these adjustments, the flexibility of an abusive companion or scammer to make use of the system for hurt is drastically diminished. A two-minute window to delete an iMessage remains to be loads of time to catch these “oops I despatched this to the incorrect individual” or “I actually shouldn’t reply and simply let it go” moments, however drastically reduces the flexibility to message somebody and know that they’ll see it earlier than you vanish all hint of it. Logging (and limiting) edits retains an proof chain for individuals who may want it sooner or later.
After all, this characteristic nonetheless solely applies to iMessages (blue bubbles). Common SMS textual content (inexperienced bubbles) can’t be edited or deleted.
