{"id":47313,"date":"2021-08-06T11:58:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T08:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/?p=47313"},"modified":"2025-09-01T20:42:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T17:42:36","slug":"apple-deploys-ai-to-scan-user-iphones-for-illegal-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/apple-deploys-ai-to-scan-user-iphones-for-illegal-content\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple deploys AI to scan user iPhones for illegal content"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple developed<\/a> a tool for local scanning of photos on iPhone for child abuse. The system began testing in the United States.<\/p>\n

The tool continuously checks photos on iPhone, iPad and macOS devices without transmitting data to cloud storage. If illegal content is detected, the system will alert a group of reviewers, who will manually re-check the information. If necessary, they may contact law enforcement.<\/p>\n

According to company representatives, the system matches users’ photos on the device with a database of known image hashes provided by NCMEC<\/span> and other organizations dedicated to child safety.<\/p>\n

The company stressed that using the tool to detect illegal content does not violate users’ privacy.<\/p>\n

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\u201cApple converts photos into an unreadable set of hashes, which are securely stored on users\u2019 devices,\u201d the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The company also said it will roll out content scanning in Messages to shield children from obscene images sent by strangers.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe app uses on-device machine learning to analyse attached photos and determine whether they are sexually explicit. \u2026 Apple does not have access to messages,\u201d the blog says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\\\"Apple
Warning in Messages about obscene content. Source: Apple.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New features will appear with updates to iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS Monterey at the end of 2021.<\/p>\n

Security expert Matthew Green expressed concerns about the rollout of on-device scanning of messages and photos. He said the company had sent \u201ca very clear signal.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Regardless of what Apple\u2019s long term plans are, they\u2019ve sent a very clear signal. In their (very influential) opinion, it is safe to build systems that scan users\u2019 phones for prohibited content. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s the message they\u2019re sending to governments, competing services, China, you.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Matthew Green (@matthew_d_green) August 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n