Apple released the fourth developer beta for iOS 16 on Wednesday, imposing restrictions on the ability to edit and delete iMessages. Most notably, the company adds an edit history log that gives the person you’re messaging the ability to see any edits you’ve made. Prior to the introduction of an edit history log, you would only be able to see that the message was edited, not what it actually said. In addition, you can now only edit a post five times.
The company is likely adding these changes in response to concerns that the ability to edit and delete posts could be used maliciously. For example, users may have sent someone malicious messages and then edited them, leaving the recipient with no proof of the malicious message. The addition of an edit history log gives users access to evidence of messages to document abuse. The feature could also have been used to edit posts to make it look like someone agreed to something they didn’t actually do.
The latest beta also shortens the time limit for undoing a post. When iOS 16 was first launched, users had the option to delete a message within 15 minutes. Now you only have two minutes to do that. However, some have pointed out that the potential for abuse still exists with the ability to delete malicious messages.
Apple first announced these iMessage features last month at WWDC 2022. iOS 16 is still in beta testing, so these changes may not represent the final product, but it’s clear Apple is looking for ways to address concerns about these features. to dispel.