Apple Faces £5 Million Lawsuit From British Man After Wife Finds Out 'Deleted' Messages To Sex Workers. Here's How To Permanently Delete Messages

If you wish to send clandestine messages from your Apple device that you don't want your partner to discover, don't use an ID that you have used on family devices. Basic common sense, this. 

Users can ensure their messages are completely removed from their Apple devices by following a few simple steps. ( Image Source :Miquel Parera/Unsplash )

An English businessman, whose identity remains undisclosed, has initiated legal action against tech giant Apple, claiming that the company’s handling of deleted messages led to the dissolution of his marriage. The lawsuit follows allegations that messages sent to sex workers were discovered by his wife on their family’s iMac, despite his belief that they had been erased from his iPhone.

According to sources cited by The Telegraph, the man contends that Apple’s lack of transparency regarding the status of deleted messages contributed to the exposure of incriminating texts. This discovery reportedly prompted his wife to file for divorce.

In an interview with The Times, the businessman admitted to using the iMessage app to contact prostitutes during the final years of his marriage. He stated that he had deleted the messages from his iPhone, believing them to be permanently removed.

“If you are told a message is deleted, you are entitled to believe it’s deleted,” he remarked to The Times, describing the ordeal as “painful and raw.” He expressed regret over the brutal manner in which his wife discovered the messages, reflecting that better communication might have salvaged their relationship.

The lawsuit, seeking more than £5 million in damages to cover his divorce settlement and legal expenses, argues that Apple misled him regarding the efficacy of message deletion. Simon Walton, representing the businessman from the London law firm Rosenblatt, emphasized Apple’s alleged lack of clarity regarding the handling of messages sent and received, even after deletion.

“Apple had not been clear with users as to what happens to messages they send and receive and, importantly, delete,” Walton asserted to The Telegraph. He highlighted that messages purportedly deleted from an iPhone may still be accessible on other linked devices, a fact he claims Apple fails to adequately disclose to its users.

The legal team, keen to gather information from other Apple customers who may have faced similar issues, believes that clearer communication from Apple could have averted the breakdown of the businessman’s marriage.

The outcome of the lawsuit against Apple remains pending.

How To Permanently Delete Messages On Apple Devices

Users looking to manage their messages on Apple devices can now understand the process of permanently deleting them, ensuring they are removed from all linked devices.

Apple has clarified that when Messages in iCloud is activated, deleting a message or conversation on one device will result in its deletion from all other devices signed in with the same Apple ID. This feature offers a convenient way to maintain consistency across multiple Apple gadgets.

However, it is essential to note that this deletion process only affects the user’s own devices. Messages, attachments, and conversations cannot be removed from the devices of other individuals involved in the conversation.

When messages and attachments are deleted, they are moved to a Recently Deleted folder, where they remain for 30 days. Users can choose to permanently delete these items before the 30-day period expires.

Here is a step-by-step guide to permanently deleting messages on your iPhone:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. In the conversation list, tap Edit in the top-left corner, then select Show Recently Deleted, or tap Filters in the top-left corner, then choose Recently Deleted.
3. If you are currently viewing a conversation, tap the Back button to return to the conversation list.
4. Select the conversations or messages you wish to delete permanently.
5. Tap Delete and follow the onscreen instructions to confirm.

By following these steps, users can ensure their messages are completely removed from their Apple devices, maintaining privacy and freeing up storage space.

Last but not the least, if you're planning to send clandestine messages from your Apple device (iPhone, Mac, whatever) that you don't want your partner to discover, your best bet is to use a personal Apple ID and not use the one that's been used on family Mac devices. Basic common sense, this.