Apple’s controversial child porn scanning feature delayed after public backlash

After announcing a controversial feature that would scan users’ photos for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) scheduled to roll out this year, Apple stated that they are delaying the launch. The delay was due to “intense criticism” from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others—as the feature could “diminish user privacy”. 

“Last month we announced plans for features intended to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them, and limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material… Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features,” said Apple to The Verge.

The features were announced “to protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them, and limit the spread of CSAM”. They included new tools to the Messages app to warn children and their parents when receiving or sending sexually explicit photos, new technology to detect known CSAM images when they are stored in iCloud Photos, as well as expanding guidance for Siri and Search.

While these features do sound like they have good intentions, there are concerns that the technology could be expanded to scan phones for prohibited content or even political speech. The Electronic Frontier Foundation said in a statement that the new system would “break key promises of the messenger’s encryption itself and open the door to broader abuses”.

“Apple is compromising the phone that you and I own and operate, without any of us having a say in the matter,” said Ben Thompson at Stratechery.

Apple has said it would refuse any requests from governments to use its technology as a means to spy on customers, and that the features would “only affects photos that customers upload to their iCloud accounts”. However, the company had also confirmed that it already scans iCloud Mail for CSAM, and has been doing so since 2019.

The feature was planned to go in effect by the end of the year, along with updated iPhones, iPads, AirPods and Macs. Apple is also planning on launching their new line of Apple Watches—if production delays don’t damper the launch.

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