Apple has chosen to indefinitely delay its initial plan to scan iPhones in the United States for images of child sexual abuse after the company received fierce backlash.
Apparently, there was an outcry from security and privacy experts who claimed intrusive governments and hackers could exploit the technology for other surveillance purposes, Local 10 reported.
The announcement was made Friday, one month after Apple was ready to launch its tool to detect iPhones for images of child sexual abuse.
The feature would scan files before they were uploaded to its iCloud backup storage system and would use another feature that would scan users’ encrypted messages for sexually explicit content.
Despite the company insisting its technology was developed in a way that would still protect the privacy of iPhone users in the U.S., it faced heavy criticism from security experts, human rights groups, and customers.
Many felt that the new feature would invade personal and sensitive information.
“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,” Apple said in an update posted above its original photo-scanning plans.
There was no specific date for the feature launch, but the plan was to have it begin sometime this year.
Apple’s scanning technology was seen as contradicting its “personal privacy” marketing mantra. However, the company reiterates that it is more trustworthy than other major tech companies, like Google and Facebook. Companies that are known to get information about users’ interests and locations to help sell digital ads.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is known for repeating the catchphrase “Privacy is a fundamental human right.”
The photo scanning technology feature was “a really big about-face for Apple,” said Cindy Cohn, the executive director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. She is one of the most vocal critics of Apple’s initial plans. “If you are going to take a stand for people’s privacy, you can’t be scanning their phones.”
Cohn praised the company for reconsidering its approach and taking time to reassess its plans.
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