I think what they are trying to achieve with the legislation is visibility (on demand) of all messages, so that would include iMessage for sure. I think that the media have used WhatsApp as a specific example because of its popularity.
An important argument that is being made is that in reality the legislation would be difficult to enforce (how would they enforce a ban on all encryption, people could use VPN's to hide traffic, new apps will be developed etc.)
But, whether enforceable or not, the idea that the UK government would even try to exert this much control over every individual's private messages is both ludicrous and terrifying.
I think what they are trying to achieve with the legislation is visibility (on demand) of all messages, so that would include iMessage for sure. I think that the media have used WhatsApp as a specific example because of its popularity.
An important argument that is being made is that in reality the legislation would be difficult to enforce (how would they enforce a ban on all encryption, people could use VPN's to hide traffic, new apps will be developed etc.)
But, whether enforceable or not, the idea that the UK government would even try to exert this much control over every individual's private messages is both ludicrous and terrifying.