Apple will begin checking iCloud content shared via links accessible to anyone for “harmful content” starting with iOS 27.3 and other 27.3 updates, the company says. The change means such shared items will no longer be end-to-end encrypted.
The move follows calls from protesters for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud. In a support document reported on by 9to5Mac, Apple said that "when you share an item that can be accessed by 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."
Apple's support document does not define what constitutes "harmful content." The company said it "reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete" any harmful content that a user attempts to upload. Apple may also block or disable accounts, prevent a user from creating a new account, or, "if necessary," invoke law enforcement.
Apple launched the first 27.3 developer betas yesterday and said it plans to release iOS 27.3 in December.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- iCloud users who share files or photos via link will have their privacy reduced as end-to-end encryption is removed for those items.
- Apple's broad "harmful content" language raises questions about what content may be flagged beyond child sexual abuse material.
- The change signals a shift in Apple's stance on privacy and user data scanning, with potential implications for other platforms.
Background
The change follows calls for Apple to address child sexual abuse material in iCloud, but the company has not defined what "harmful content" covers. The scanning applies only to items shared with the "Anyone with the Link" permission, not to all iCloud content.
What to Watch
- Apple's definition of "harmful content" and whether it will be clarified before the public release in December.
- User and privacy advocate reactions to the loss of end-to-end encryption for shared links.
- Whether law enforcement requests increase under the new policy.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedApple will start checking iCloud content accessible to anyone with the link for harmful content with iOS 27.3 and other 27.3 updates.The Verge: “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.”
- SupportedThe headline says Apple will check iCloud links shared with anyone starting with iOS 27.3.The Verge: “If you make an item on iCloud available to anyone who has the link, Apple will be able to check it starting with iOS 27.3.”
- Partly supportedItems shared with the “Anyone with the Link” permission will no longer be end-to-end encrypted, and Apple says this.The Verge: “Sharing something over iCloud with the “Anyone with the Link” permissions will also mean that it’s no longer end-to-end encrypted.”
- SupportedApple’s support document says: “when you share an item that can be accessed by 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: ““When you share an item that can be accessed by 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,” according to a support document reported on by 9to5Mac.”
- SupportedThe move follows calls from protesters for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.The Verge: “But this new approach follows calls from protestors for Apple to crack down on child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.”
- SupportedApple’s support document does not define what “harmful content” means.The Verge: “Apple’s support document does not define what “harmful content” is.”
- SupportedApple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete harmful content a user attempts to upload.The Verge: “Apple says it “reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete” any harmful content that a user attempts to upload.”
- SupportedApple may block or disable accounts and prevent a user from making a new account.The Verge: “Apple may also block or disable accounts, prevent a user from making a new account”
- SupportedApple may invoke law enforcement “if necessary.”The Verge: “or, “if necessary,” invoke law enforcement.”
- SupportedApple launched the first 27.3 developer betas yesterday.The Verge: “The company launched the first 27.3 developer betas yesterday”
- SupportedApple said it plans to release iOS 27.3 in December.The Verge: “and said recently it plans to launch iOS 27.3 in December.”
