Apple is evaluating the new EU regulations to open iMessage requirements, and is not considering deploying RCS for the time being.

CTOnews.com, December 14 (Xinhua)-- Apple is planning to open up its browser engine, NFC and other features to third-party apps and allow third-party app stores to run on iPhone, according to Bloomberg. The report also points out that Apple has not yet made an internal decision on "how to open up iMessage and its Messages applications to third-party services."

Bloomberg reported that Apple may support third-party app stores on iPhone in its iOS 17 system to be launched next year, but the company has not yet decided how to deploy information applications in accordance with the new European rule "Digital Markets Act".

One change in compliance with the new rules could be that Apple will adopt the rich communications services (RCS) standard supported by Google and other platforms. However, Apple is "not considering" this possibility at the moment. Apple hasn't decided how to open up iMessage and its Messages apps to third-party services.

CTOnews.com has learned that Apple engineers believe the change could undermine the end-to-end encryption and other privacy features provided by iMessage. The company is also not considering integrating RCS, a messaging protocol that Google and other companies are pushing for Apple to adopt.

RCS, the full name of Rich Communications solution, is a program initiated by the GSM Association to create a program to further enrich operator communications services based on IP Multimedia Subsystem. RCS is introduced into the market by members of GSMA under the code name joyn. The main features of RCS include: enhanced phone book: add contact information such as online status and service exploration.