Apple to scan iCloud links shared publicly for harmful content

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 01:33 · Archive

Apple will check iCloud items shared with 'Anyone with the Link' for harmful content starting in iOS 27.3.

Apple will start checking iCloud items shared with public links for harmful content in iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3, which will launch in December. The scans apply to images in iCloud Photos and files in iCloud Drive when users choose the 'Anyone with the Link' sharing option.

When content is shared this way, it will be 'made accessible to Apple' to check for harmful content, according to Apple's support documentation. Sharing with 'Anyone with the Link' permissions also means the content will no longer be end-to-end encrypted, even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled.

Apple has not defined what 'harmful content' means, though the company's mention of law enforcement involvement suggests it could include malware, malicious files and child sexual abuse material. This follows calls from various groups for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.

If a user attempts to upload harmful content, Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete it. The company may also take action against the user's account, including blocking or disabling it, blocking the ability to create a new account with the same email or phone number, or involving law enforcement 'if necessary'.

Apple does not say whether links created before the 27.3 updates will be checked retroactively. The software is currently available to developers for beta testing and will see public release in December.

How it is being reported

• Apple turns iCloud into spy cloud, will start looking at public share linksContent shared with anyone who has the URL will be scanned for 'harmful content,' though the iMaker hasn't defined that termThe Register · 4 Nov, 21:49
• Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3Apple says it will start checking public iCloud links for harmful content in iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3. Images in iCloud Photos and files in iCloud Drive shared using the "Anyone with the link" option will be "made accessible to Apple" for a content check. Apple doesn't define harmful content, but it could mean malware, malicious files, and/or child sexual abuse material (CSAM) given Apple's mention of law enforcement involvement. If you try to upload harmful content, Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete the content at any time. Apple…MacRumors · 4 Nov, 19:12
• Apple will check shared iCloud links for ‘harmful content’Apple will start checking iCloud items that are accessible to anyone who has the link for "harmful content" starting with iOS 27.3 and other 27.3 updates, the company says. "When you share an item that can be accessed by Anyone with the Link in version 27.3 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, that […]The Verge · 4 Nov, 18:23

In this story: Apple · iCloud Photos · iCloud Drive

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