Apple Pauses Controversial iPhone Photo Scanning Plan After Backlash
Apple delays its planned CSAM photo scanning feature for iPhones following significant pushback from privacy advocates and users.
Apple officially delays its controversial program to scan iPhones for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following significant feedback from customers, advocacy groups, and researchers. The company states that it takes additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these child safety features.
The original plan involves using artificial intelligence to scan images in a user's photo library and match them against a known database of CSAM images provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. If the system detects 30 or more matching images both on the iPhone and in the user's iCloud Photos folder, it flags the account for human review.
Apple originally intends to implement this scanning system by the end of 2021 as part of the iOS 15 update. The company defends the approach as a way to protect abused children while preserving user privacy, but the widespread criticism ultimately prompts this temporary halt to reevaluate the technology.