Apple has decided delay launch controversial child protection measures. The company has confirmed that they will “take some time” to gather information and improve this feature before it is released to the public.
“Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others, we have decided to take additional time in the coming months to gather information and make improvements before launching these critically important child safety features.” confirms the company in a statement (via iMore).
Apple, remember, announced a series of tools that were intended to protect minors who use their devices. One of these measures is scan iPhone images —And also those published in iCloud— with the aim of detecting child abuse material.
The image review system Based will be in charge of inspecting the photographs that coincide with those stored in the databases of associations that protect the minor. However, it has been criticized by a large number of users and privacy experts.
Specifically, it concerns for Apple to give in to government pressure in order for them to use this tool as something that goes beyond the detection of images of child abuse. In fact, even Apple employees expressed concern about these new measures.
Apple insists the new measures do not pose a privacy risk
Finally, Craig Federighi, Vice President of Software Engineering from Apple, admitted the communication error when announcing the two new child protection measures. Also highlighting that the tools will not pose a privacy risk for users.
In a document, the company mentions that “Neural Hash”, the image detection algorithm, not able to detect CSAM photos by itself. Rather, it responded in the case that one image is really the same as another.
In this case, the comparison will be made with the images of child abuse stored in the databases of associations or administrations in charge of fighting against child abuse. The manual review processalso, it will not start unless the algorithm has detected more than 30 images categorized as CSAM.
At the moment, it is unknown when the new tools will begin to be implemented, which will arrive first in the United States.