However, security experts are worried about surveillance and the risks of data leaks.
Before taking a look at those concerns, lets understand, what is Apple doing exactly?
How does Apple plan to scan iPhones for CSAM images?
When a photo is uploaded to iCloud, Apple createsa cryptographic safety voucher thats stored with it.
The voucher contains detail to determine if the image matches against known CSAM hashes.
Keep in mind, that if you have iCloud sync off on your phone, the scanning wont work.
For iMessage, Apple will perform a scan and blur CSAM images.
Its important to note that parental notification will only be sent if the child is under 13.
Teens aged 13-17, will only get a warning notification on their own phones.
The company is also tweaking Siri and Search to provide additional CSAM-related resources for parents and children.
What are experts worried about?
To say that we are disappointed by Apples plans is an understatement, EFF added.
The organization pointed out that scanning for content using a pre-defined database could lead to dangerous use cases.
No matter how well-intentioned,@Appleis rolling out mass surveillance to the entire world with this.
Make no mistake: if they can scan for kiddie porn today, they can scan for anything tomorrow.
They turned a trillion dollars of devices into iNarcs*without asking.
Governments across the world have been asking various companies toprovidebackdoors to encrypted content.
Green noted that Apples step will break the dam governments will demand it from everyone.
The theory is that you will trust Apple to only include really bad images.
Say, images curated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Youd better trust them, because trust is all you have.
The company has rallied around itsstrong stance on privacyfor years now.
Plus, Apple will have to be transparent about how these systems have performed.
We dont need more of that.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.”
