What happened
Apple plans to begin reviewing iCloud items that users share through open links, which anyone holding the link can view, for harmful content, The Verge reported. The change takes effect with version 27.3 of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, according to an Apple support document first covered by 9to5Mac. Files shared this way will also no longer be protected by end-to-end encryption.
The support document does not spell out what Apple counts as harmful content. Apple says it may move, reject, alter, remove or delete such material when a user tries to upload it, and could block or disable accounts, stop a user from creating a new one or, where it deems necessary, involve law enforcement. Apple has released the first 27.3 developer betas and has said it intends to ship iOS 27.3 in December.
Context
The policy follows pressure from protesters who have urged Apple to do more to tackle child sexual abuse material stored on iCloud. The 27.3 releases cover iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, so the change reaches users on all four of those operating systems who choose to share files through open links rather than with specific people.
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