Apple today released iOS / iPadOS 16.6 Beta 1 update, after the update, netizens found the option related to iMessage Contact Key Verification (iMessage) in the Settings app, only the feature has not yet taken effect.
It’s unclear why this isn’t in effect, but it may require other settings such as Security Keys to be enabled, or Apple may not have finished deploying the feature.
As previously reported, Apple announced iMessage Contact Key Authentication in December of last year to help iPhone users verify the identity of the person they are communicating with.
After activating iMessage Contact Key Authentication, users are only allowed to send and receive messages to and from contacts that have been authenticated by the owner. Users are alerted if a state-sponsored attacker or another malicious actor successfully compromises the cloud server and accesses their own device to eavesdrop on conversations.
With iMessage Contact Key Verification enabled users can request a Contact Verification Code match on FaceTime or other secure calls to further verify that they are only communicating with the people they want to.
