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                       Apple Delays CSAM Detection Launch

   Adam Engst

   In a statement released to various media organizations today, Apple
   said it would be delaying the launch of its CSAM detection features,
   previously slated for inclusion in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS 12
   Monterey:

     Last month we announced plans for features intended to help protect
     children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and
     exploit them, and limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
     Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and
     others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming
     months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these
     critically important child safety features.

   We covered the initial announcement in '[1]FAQ about Apple's Expanded
   Protections for Children' (7 August 2021) and Apple's subsequent mea
   culpa and explanations in '[2]New CSAM Detection Details Emerge
   Following Craig Federighi Interview' (13 August 2021).

   As I noted in the second article, Apple thoroughly botched the initial
   announcement and follow-up, so it's unsurprising to see the company
   delay in order to collect input and improve the technology. The
   question is why it took so long for Apple to do so'the company has
   plenty of experience with removing technologies from forthcoming
   upgrades, as with [3]the recent delay for SharePlay.

   My guess is that Apple plans to refine both the technology and its
   messaging over the next few months and reintroduce it sometime next
   year. I would hope that announcement comes with a much better story
   about how effective the technology will be in reducing the spread of
   CSAM, preventing revictimization, and resisting government-level
   subversion. That may help the media do a better job of analyzing and
   reporting the second time around'even if Apple bungled the initial
   announcement, much of the overheated media coverage was based on
   inaccuracies and misunderstandings about how Apple said the technology
   would work.

   The other possibility is that the entire effort is now tainted, making
   this 'delay' just a face-saving way for Apple to drop the technology
   like the hot potato it became. Would there be a massive public outcry
   if 2022's Worldwide Developer Conference came and went with no mention
   of CSAM detection in iOS 16?

References

   1. https://tidbits.com/2021/08/07/faq-about-apples-expanded-protections-for-children/
   2. https://tidbits.com/2021/08/13/new-csam-detection-details-emerge-following-craig-federighi-interview/
   3. https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/17/apple-delays-shareplay-facetime-launch/

.