Apple to Start Scanning Publicly Shared iCloud Photos and Files for Harmful Content

Apple is set to initiate the scanning of publicly shared iCloud photos and files for potentially harmful content, beginning with the release of iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3. This update will specifically target situations where users share iCloud content through links, making it accessible to anyone with the link, including Apple.

Starting with version 27.3 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, Apple will scrutinize items shared using the "Anyone with the Link" option for harmful content, as outlined in a support document published on Tuesday. The company has clarified that sharing an item accessible by "Anyone with the Link" will negate end-to-end encryption (E2EE), regardless of whether Advanced Data Protection, an optional security setting, has been enabled for iCloud Backup, Photos, and Notes.

However, it remains uncertain what criteria Apple will use to define "harmful content" and whether this monitoring will be applied retrospectively to existing links or new ones created before the 27.3 updates are rolled out later this December. Apple has also cautioned that uploading harmful content could result in its removal or deletion, and may even lead to actions against the user's Apple Account, such as blocking or disabling the account, restricting the creation of new accounts with the associated email address or phone number, or involving law enforcement if necessary.