Apple, one of the world’s largest companies that is based on data-protection and privacy principles itself, has been criticized for its recent announcement to monitor iCloud photos.
Apple recently announced a plan they’re rolling out soon called “Smart Scan.” It will allow Apple employees to scan all images uploaded through their iPhones in order to find explicit content like pornography or violence against children. In response, security professionals have argued that this move could expose international users’ private information while also infringing upon free speech rights by enabling censorship from governments who may want certain types of people silenced – particularly those living under authoritarian regimes with limited human right protection laws.
Apple’s plan to monitor iCloud photos met with strong opposition from cybersecurity and privacy experts. The proposed monitoring would provide a way for Apple, or anyone else who hacks their servers in the future, access to all of your personal data including every photo you’ve ever taken on any device that synced or backed up through iCloud.
Many are doubtful as well because this move is likely aimed at increasing sales rather than improving security and protecting customers’ rights.