Apple Delays Rollout of Controversial Child Safety Features to Make Improvements
The planned features include scanning users’ iCloud Photos libraries for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Communication Safety to warn children and their parents when receiving or sending sexually explicit photos, and expanded CSAM guidance in Siri and Search.
Apple confirmed that feedback from customers, various non-profit and advocacy groups, security researchers, and others following the announcement of the plans has prompted the delay to give the company time to make improvements. Apple issued the following statement about its decision:
Last month we announced plans for features intended to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them, and limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.
The suite of Child Safety Features were originally set to debut in the United States with the launch of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey later this year. It is now unclear when Apple plans to roll out the “critically important” features, but the company still appears to be intent on releasing them.
More to follow…
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