Apple to Start Scanning Publicly Shared iCloud Photos and Files for Harmful Content
Summary: Apple said it will begin checking items shared via iCloud links set to "Anyone with the Link" for harmful content starting in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS version 27.3, rolling out later this December. Apple's support document states that this sharing option disables end-to-end encryption even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled, and that it may remove or delete harmful content and block or disable the associated Apple Account, or involve law enforcement.
What you should know: Choosing "Anyone with the Link" silently turns off end-to-end encryption even for users who enabled Advanced Data Protection, so content the user believes is protected becomes visible to Apple and subject to scanning. Apple has not defined what counts as harmful content or whether existing links will be checked retroactively, and the stated penalties reach account disablement and law enforcement referral.
Read the original at The Hacker News ↗
- Topics
- Privacy
- Related
- Italy Fines Meta €805 Million Over Facebook's Android Gallery Access Without Explicit Consent Cyber Risks · Nov 15, 2026