Apple Quietly Removes Mention Of Scanning Photos For Abuse Imagery From Website
Image via Apple
When Apple announced its plans to introduce scanning iCloud Photos libraries in an attempt to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), it was met with widespread criticism and numerous privacy concerns.
Communication Safety included tools that would warn children and their parents if they were interacting with sexually-explicit photos. Apart from scanning photos, the company also had plans to introduce this in Siri and Search.
Purportedly, it had already been doing so for years in users’ emails.
Needless to say, with its planned features bordering almost on surveillance technology, it was met with much backlash. Despite trying to alleviate concerns, many still weren’t on board. In September, Apple announced that it would be pausing the development of the technology.
Now, months later, with still no sign of the tech company making any further plans, it was noted that all mention of the proposed new features had been removed from its Child Safety webpage.
MacRumors reports that at one point before the removal, the site had a statement explaining the reason behind the delay, which was apparently “based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others.”
The company wrote that it planned to “collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.” But now that it’s gone, it’s unclear if the features will end up being released in the end.
Meanwhile, the rollout of iOS 15.2 saw Messages still getting some of the Communication Safety features, which include on-device machine learning to detect imagery that may contain nudity. The image is then blurred, while the app will provide guidance and resources to help children make informed choices.
The firm assures that the on-device machine learning “is designed so that Apple doesn’t get access to the photos.”
[via MacRumors, cover image via Apple]
Also check out these recent news
