Apple to check "Anyone with the Link" iCloud shares for harmful content from iOS 27.3
Apple's support document says items shared via "Anyone with the Link" in version 27.3 or later of its operating systems will be accessible to Apple to check for harmful content, and will no longer be end-to-end encrypted. The term "harmful content" is not defined.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Apple will start checking iCloud items shared with "Anyone with the Link" permissions for "harmful content" from iOS 27.3 and the other 27.3 updates, according to the company. The VergeLC “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.” Read at The Verge ↗ ZDNETN “Apple announced it will start monitoring public iCloud links for harmful content” Read at ZDNET ↗ Left · 1A support document says that when a user shares an item with "Anyone with the Link" in version 27.3 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, that content "is made accessible to Apple to check for harmful content". The Verge cited 9to5Mac as having reported on the document. The VergeLC “that content is made accessible to Apple to check for harmful content,” according to a support document reported on by 9to5Mac.” Read at The Verge ↗ Mixed · 2Items shared this way are no longer end-to-end encrypted. ZDNET says this applies even if the user has enabled Advanced Data Protection, while choosing "People you choose", which limits access to invited or approved users, keeps encryption in place and stops Apple seeing the content. The VergeLC “Sharing something over iCloud with the “Anyone with the Link” permissions will also mean that it’s no longer end-to-end encrypted.” Read at The Verge ↗ ZDNETN “If you select “People you choose,” which limits access to users who have been invited or approved, the encryption remains in place, and Apple won’t be able to see what you’re sharing.” Read at ZDNET ↗
Mixed · 2Apple says it "reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete" harmful content that a user attempts to upload. It may also block or disable accounts, prevent a user from making a new account, or, "if necessary", involve law enforcement. The VergeLC “Apple says it “reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete” any harmful content that a user attempts to upload.” Read at The Verge ↗ ZDNETN “potentially disable accounts that violate company policy” Read at ZDNET ↗ Mixed · 2Both outlets note that Apple's document does not define "harmful content". ZDNET lists drug sales and child sex abuse material as obvious violations, but calls the policy's vagueness "concerning". It adds that the policy sets out no appeals process for content falsely flagged, though Apple has a web page on appeals for other reasons. The VergeLC “Apple’s support document does not define what “harmful content” is.” Read at The Verge ↗ ZDNETN “The new policy does not lay out an appeals process if you think your account or content has been falsely flagged as harmful.” Read at ZDNET ↗ Left · 1The Verge links the change to calls from protestors for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud. It reports that Apple launched the first 27.3 developer betas on 3 November and has said it plans to release iOS 27.3 in December. The VergeLC “this new approach follows calls from protestors for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.”“The company launched the first 27.3 developer betas yesterday, and said recently it plans to launch iOS 27.3 in December.” Read at The Verge ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Brief news report relaying Apple's support document and linking the change to pressure over child sexual abuse material.
- Emphasis
- Apple's wording, the loss of end-to-end encryption, enforcement powers and the release timing.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the absence of an appeals process or that Advanced Data Protection users are affected.
- For example
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“this new approach follows calls from protestors for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.” — The Verge
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Consumer-advice style warning to users, with concern about the policy's vagueness.
- Emphasis
- Practical effects on users: encryption removal even with Advanced Data Protection, the "People you choose" alternative, and the lack of an appeals process.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the child-safety campaign context or the December release timing.
- Charged language
- “dragnet”“vagueness is concerning”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Apple will check items shared via "Anyone with the Link" for harmful content from the 27.3 updates.
- Links shared this way lose end-to-end encryption.
- Apple may remove content and disable accounts.
- Apple's document does not define "harmful content".
Apple organisation
Apple says content shared via "Anyone with the Link" will be accessible to it to check for harmful content, and reserves the right to remove content and disable accounts. Its document does not define "harmful content".
“Apple says it “reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete” any harmful content that a user attempts to upload.” — The Verge
“Apple’s announcement did not explain what “harmful content” would mean in practice.” — ZDNET
Left1 article
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Apple will check shared iCloud links for ‘harmful content’
Neutral Concise report of Apple's policy that ties it to child-abuse-material pressure on the company.
Centre1 article
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ZDNETN ·
Apple will monitor your public iCloud links now, starting with iOS 27.3
Critical Warns users about the change and questions the policy's vagueness and lack of an appeals process.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 4 Nov 18:23 First The VergeLC Apple will check shared iCloud links for ‘harmful content’
- 6 Nov 16:21 +45h 58m ZDNETN Apple will monitor your public iCloud links now, starting with iOS 27.3
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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