● Covered by 4 sources · 4 reportsMedium impact1 negative3 neutral
Apple to Scan Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content with iOS 27.3 Update
Key points
- Apple will scan public iCloud links for harmful content.
- Applies to "Anyone with the link" sharing option.
- Starts with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, visionOS 27.3.
- Publicly shared content will not be end-to-end encrypted.
- Apple may remove content or take action against accounts.
- Apple published a support document about the change on Tuesday.
- Apple may block new account creation with associated email or phone number.
- Apple's announcement did not define "harmful content" in practice.
iCloud Public Link Scanning Introduced
Apple is implementing a new policy to scan content shared through public iCloud links for "harmful content." This change will be rolled out with the upcoming iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3 updates.
The scanning specifically targets content shared using the "Anyone with the link" option in iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive. This means that items made accessible via a public link will be subject to Apple's review.
Impact on Encryption and User Accounts
A significant consequence of this new policy is that content shared with the "Anyone with the link" permission will no longer be end-to-end encrypted. This allows Apple to access and check the content for violations.
Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete any content identified as harmful. Furthermore, the company may take action against user accounts found to be in violation of its content policies.
Context and Previous Efforts
While Apple's support document does not explicitly define "harmful content," this new approach follows previous calls for Apple to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) stored on its platforms. This initiative expands on earlier efforts to combat such content.
The 27.3 updates also introduce other features, including Siri AI improvements, new Safari functionalities, and an all-new Apple Health app, alongside this change to iCloud sharing.
Updates
- Apple may block new account creation with associated email or phone number.
- Apple's announcement did not define "harmful content" in practice.
- Apple published a support document about the change on Tuesday.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Apple will begin monitoring public iCloud links for harmful content with the release of iOS 27.3. This policy applies to links shared with "Anyone with the Link" and could result in account bans or law enforcement involvement for violations.
Apple will begin scanning publicly shared iCloud Photos and files for harmful content with the release of iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3. This change applies to content shared via "Anyone with the link" options, which also disables end-to-end encryption for those specific shared items.
Apple will begin scanning iCloud content shared via public links for "harmful content" with the release of iOS 27.3. This change means publicly shared iCloud items will no longer be end-to-end encrypted and Apple may remove content or disable accounts found in violation.
Apple's iOS 27.3 update will begin scanning content shared via iCloud public links for harmful material. This change applies to the "Anyone with the link" sharing option across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, allowing Apple to remove flagged content and take action against user accounts.