Apple’s plan to scan phones for child abuse worries privacy advocates

Apple for years has focused on adding new programs to its phones, all designed to make life easier. Its systems scan emails for new calendar appointments, and its Siri voice assistant suggests to call friends on their birthdays. But Apple’s latest feature is focused on abuse.

The tech giant said in a new section of its website published Thursday that it plans to add scanning software to its iPhones, iPads, Mac computers and Apple Watches when the new iOS 15, iPad OS 15, MacOS Monterey and WatchOS 8 operating systems all launch in the fall. The new program, which Apple said is designed to “limit the spread of child sexual abuse material” is part of a new collaboration between the company and child safety experts.

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23 thoughts on “Apple’s plan to scan phones for child abuse worries privacy advocates

  • August 10, 2021

    Hopefully Apple stock plummet when more customers disagreeing with this policy get rid of Apple all together. Why invest in a company that abuses customer’s privacy for a slippery slope?

    Reply
  • August 9, 2021

    Just wait until young people start getting caught sending or possessing naughty pictures of themselves in their phones…..i bet parents have no idea what is about to unfold.

    Reply
  • August 9, 2021

    This seems like an Apple/Mac version of the cops Torrential Downpour program. They can arbitrarily scan any connection to their software and “find” “suspicious” files or material. Complete over reach, breach of privacy on Apple’s part but I don’t know that it is all that different from the way CP is “found” using Torrential Downpour or other software law enforcement uses. Maybe the difference is you know Apple is monitoring you? It’s all suspect of breach of privacy in my opinion. I don’t know how the sanctity of the “home” and privacy related to it has been eaten away at so easily aside from the highly emotional subject of sexual abuse.

    Reply
  • August 9, 2021

    All the books I was required to read as a kid: Animal Farm, Scarlet Letter, 1984, and others are looking more realistic every year. If we can’t stand up for people who we hate and their rights, won’t be long before all of our rights are gone. The citizens have allowed politicians, law enforcement, and government officials to get away with it. At what point will people get out of their fantasies and see all that’s happening now.

    Reply

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