Apple Lets User Privacy Slide, Chases Ad Revenues

Today, Apple announced that it would no longer scan photos scanned in users’ iCloud accounts. While this seems like a move to protect the privacy of its users, the real reason behind this appears to be motivated by self-preservation. For context, Apple had launched a service in August 2021 with an aim to scan users’ iCloud for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). While it stated that this tool would preserve the privacy of users, many security researchers found that it could be used as a surveillance capability. This led to a huge backlash, prompting the company to roll back this feature.  Instead of this controversial scanning feature, Apple has chosen to invest heavily in its ‘Communication Safety’ feature, which relies on parents and guardians to opt into protective me