The tech giant has taken steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage

Apple has reportedly shuttered third-party applications that let Android and iPhone users communicate via iMessage.

The tech giant has “taken steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage,” as per a statement by the company shared in a Saturday Bloomberg News report.

The statement goes on to say that these techniques posed considerable risks to user security and privacy, including the potential for metadata exposure and enabling unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks.

As the report notes, iMessage provides encrypted messaging between Apple devices, though the company has long pushed back against calls to extend this service to Android.

Last month saw another Bloomberg report that Apple was planning to adopt the technological standard known as RCS to allow for smoother text messaging between iPhones and Android devices.

It is a move that marks a major change for Apple, which had historically resisted use of RCS despite pressure from companies such as Google.

RCS is an enhanced version of SMS and MMS texting, backed by the GSM Association that offers more advanced features across various platforms. RCS will let Apple users text Android users via WiFi, share larger photo and video files, more easily conduct group chats, track message delivery and read receipts.

In the past, Apple chief executive Tim Cook had argued against adopting RCS, saying consumers looking for better texting capabilities should consider buying iPhones for their family members.

In the meantime, sales of iPhones have apparently been lagging historical trends, while store inventories have risen.

According to recent data from KeyBanc Capital Markets, while there has been strong demand for iPhone 15 Pro and Max, it has not been enough to completely offset slower sales of other models such as the iPhone 15 and Plus.