Apple has announced a new encryption system called PQ3 for iMessage security, designed to combat potential threats from advanced quantum computing. The new system is currently in beta versions of iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 17.4, and watchOS 10.4, with plans to roll out to all users in the coming weeks and become the standard security protocol for all iMessage chats by the end of 2024.

Here are the key points to know about Apple’s PQ3 system:

– Quantum computing poses a potential threat to today’s encryption methods used for securing messages.
– Apple’s PQ3 system is designed to protect against “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks that could exploit quantum computing to decrypt encrypted messaging data.
– The upgrade is a response to future threats and aims to enhance the security of iMessage chats.
– Apple claims that its PQ3 system offers “the strongest security properties of any at-scale messaging protocol in the world,” surpassing other widely deployed messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, QQ, and WeChat.
– Additionally, Apple announced that its Contact Key Verification system will be extended to its Vision Pro headset as part of the upcoming visionOS 1.1 update.

Apple’s announcement marks a significant upgrade in iMessage’s cryptographic security and sets a new standard for secure messaging protocols. With compromise-resilient encryption and extensive defenses against sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 is poised to provide unmatched security for iMessage users.

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