iMessage Background

iMessage is a messaging service provided by Apple that allows users to send text messages, photos, videos, and other media using an internet connection rather than a cellular network. iMessage is available on all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, and it seamlessly syncs messages across all devices using the user’s Apple ID.

One of the key differences between iMessage and other messaging services is that iMessage is only available on Apple devices. This means that users who do not own Apple devices cannot use iMessage, whereas other messaging services like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram are available on multiple platforms.

Another key feature of iMessage is its integration with other Apple services, such as iCloud and the Apple ecosystem. iMessage allows users to send and receive messages using their iCloud email address, which means that messages can be accessed on all Apple devices associated with that account. Additionally, iMessage allows users to share their location, make audio and video calls, and send money using Apple Pay.

Of course, iMessage has become an incredibly popular communication channel. And, as iMessages are securely encrypted from end to end, they have become a trusted channel of communication. Organizations that use it for customer communication must consider how they can capture and archive any communication their employees have had with customers to remain compliant with regulation.

Why Archive iMessages?

Of course, iMessage has become an incredibly popular communication channel. And, as iMessages are securely encrypted from end to end, they have become a trusted channel of communication. Organizations that use it for customer communication must consider how they can capture and archive any communication their employees have had with customers to remain compliant with regulation.

The Requirement to Archive iMessage

Regulated industries must keep a record of all customer communication – regardless of channel. And, for customers that are accustomed to chatting on iMessage, organizations must capture, archive and have access to those records. iMessage must be archived like all other communications with customers including email, traditional mail.  Different industries and regulators specify different archiving time periods requirements for different communication types. What remains true is that the archiving requirements apply across communication channels including iMessage.

iMessaging Requires Unique Archiving Capabilities

Apple’s iMessage service does not use standard telephone communication. Instead it uses internet-based communication like most other modern chat applications. Furthermore, they are encrypted to ensure they are delivered without tampering.

For businesses communicating with customers over iMessaging, that requires them to establish processes for recording and archiving those business communications. To do so, recording must access messages on Apple’s proprietary Apples servers, access messages before they are encrypted, and find a way to archive these messages in an accessible way.

Personal Archiving vs. Business Archiving

To archive personal messages from iMessages, users can use the “Messages in iCloud” feature, which automatically stores all iMessages and attachments in iCloud. This feature allows users to access their messages across all their Apple devices and ensures that their messages are backed up in case they need to be restored. To enable this feature, users can go to “Settings” on their iPhone or iPad, tap on their name at the top of the screen, select “iCloud,” and toggle on the “Messages” option.

Businesses have been frustrated as there hasn’t been a robust system for capturing all the iMessage communication from employee’s devices. And, worse – any system would access and archive both personal and professional communication.

Seamless iMessage Archiving

With Membit’s Compliant Communication Platform, business iMessages from employees personal devices can be identified and instantly recorded and archived in corporate system. The solution enables employees to continue to work using their personal device and their favorite native communication apps like iMessage, but remaining in full compliance.

This solution is providing financial institutions with the compliance solutions they require to be ahead of regulatory requirements while maintaining their agility in the face of customers.

To learn more, reach out to the Membit team.