Each message is encrypted individually for each device that will be receiving the message. As a result, unless Apple slip a public key they have control over i

Each message is encrypted individually for each device that will be receiving the message. As a result, unless Apple slip a public key they have control over into the keys reported for the receiver, they cannot read your messages. (This is why abalone mentions that Apple do not have access to your old messages.) http://blog.quarkslab.com/imessage-privacy.html http://blog.quarkslab.com/imessage-privacy.html goes into detail as to how the key exchange process works.