Pointless change overview
If it was previously not possible to see which specific changes were made when editing an iMessage, the new version of the app now shows this. To do this, “Edits” (changes) must be clicked. The changes are not really well marked, the user has to read every single changed message to recognize them. Apple now also sets a limit on the maximum possible changes: This is now allowed a total of five times. In principle, edits are still possible up to 15 minutes after a message was first sent.
The new delete function has also been changed. Instead of up to 15 minutes, the sender now only has two minutes to delete a message once it has been sent. Apple is thus responding to criticism that came from anti-stalking organizations, among others – if a perpetrator has too much time to delete abusive messages, evidence may also be lost. However, the combination of deleting and editing remains illogical. Changed messages can also be deleted again within the two-minute window, and the changes then disappear as well. By means of (quick) deletion so you can see the history of changes evade. Basically, both new features remain limited to iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS 13; on older operating systems, neither deletions nor changes are displayed.
First, harsh criticism
Many users had long hoped for the ability to make changes to iMessages that have already been sent. An “undo sending” function (“unsend”) is also considered useful. After Apple’s presentation of the features, however, fears quickly arose that this could lead to abuse. Apple now seems to want to counter these dangers with the changes – it remains to be seen whether the group has found the right balance.
A lawyer specializing in the protection of victims of abuse and violence in relationships had contacted Apple CEO Tim Cook directly and asked him to reconsider whether the service really would have an editing and deleting function for messages that had already been sent should have. “As an advocate for survivors of harassment and assault, I tell you that [die neuen Features] can lead to additional harassment and injury for the victims,” said Michelle Simpson Tuegel in an open letter in June. The victim advocate therefore demanded that Apple change the function and limit the ability to edit and delete to a maximum of two minutes after sending Apple has partially implemented this now.
