Aug 16, 2021 07:00:00

It is pointed out that Apple's 'measures to scan iPhone photos and messages' will lead to strengthened surveillance and censorship around the world

On August 5, 2021,

Apple announced measures to scan iPhone photos and messages to prevent the spread of 'data related to child sexual exploitation (CSAM).' Apple has published a FAQ that appeals that the measure 'does not compromise user security,' but the Electronic Frontier Foundation said, 'Apple's measures may lead to increased censorship of non-CSAM data around the world. There is. '

If You Build It, They Will Come: Apple Has Opened the Backdoor to Increased Surveillance and Censorship Around the World | Electronic Frontier Foundation
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-apple-has-opened-backdoor-increased-surveillance

On August 5, 2021, Apple will work to prevent the spread of CSAM by censoring content and monitoring user search words with services such as 'Messages App', 'iCloud Photos', and 'Siri and Search Function'. Announced. Apple emphasizes that the measure does not invade user privacy, but many users and organizations 'may compromise privacy' and 'it's like putting a backdoor in the system.' Criticism is gathered.

Apple announced that it will scan iPhone photos and messages to prevent sexual exploitation of children, and protests from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and others that 'it will impair user security and privacy' --GIGAZINE

After that, Apple said, 'I don't look at the contents of the message,' 'just

scan the hash value of the photo stored in iCloud, and put it on the device, to emphasize that the measure does not violate security or privacy. It doesn't scan other types of stored data. ' You can check the actual content of the FAQ in the following article.

Apple announces FAQ that 'detection of child sexual abuse material does not impair privacy' --GIGAZINE

In the FAQ above, Apple said, 'We have faced and categorically rejected requests for the introduction and construction of government-led changes that would compromise user privacy. The request continues to be rejected. '' This technology is limited to'Detection of CSAM stored in iCloud photos'and does not meet the government's request to expand the scope, 'said the government's request. Claims that it cannot invade the privacy of the user.

However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation messaging app that has been widely used in China '

WeChat ' is a substantial political surveillance to censor messages are doing by way of example that, cases of 'WeChat, the detection of CSAM Apple's specially built scanning system shows the potential to be used for censorship and political persecution, 'said Apple's detection system to detect CASM when China puts pressure on Apple. It points out that it may be used for purposes other than Apple.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has pointed out that a similar situation could occur in countries other than China. Five Eyes, a confidential information sharing framework consisting of intelligence agencies from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, announced in 2018 that `` If a company does not provide access to encrypted data, it will be a technology. We will carry out targeted and judicial measures. ' The Electronic Frontier Foundation claims that the Five Eyes may ask Apple to censor data, for example because of counterterrorism.

In India, a rule was enacted in 2021 that requires businesses to block content prohibited by Indian law. In addition, Indonesia has also enacted rules requiring that content prohibited by law be included in the service. The Electronic Frontier Foundation points out that India and Indonesia may require Apple to strengthen data censorship on the basis of new rules.

At the time of writing, Apple's policy is only for CSAM. However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said, 'For example, countries where homosexuality is illegal may require Apple to detect homosexual content,' Apple will implement new measures. If you do, you argue that you need to resist censorship requests from around the world to protect your privacy.