Apple Announces iMessage Contact Key Verification

Apple has announced a new iMessage Contact Key Verification feature intended for users who face extraordinary digital threats.

The feature will let journalists, human rights activists, and members of government further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. Although, the vast majority of users will never be targeted by highly sophisticated cyberattacks, but the feature provides an important additional layer of security for those who might be.

Conversations between users who have enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification receive automatic alerts if an exceptionally advanced adversary, such as a state-sponsored attacker, were ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their own device to eavesdrop on these encrypted communications. And for even higher security, iMessage Contact Key Verification users can compare a Contact Verification Code in person, on FaceTime, or through another secure call.


iMessage Contact Key Verification will be available globally in 2023. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates.