Apple is introducing a new feature to iMessage – coming first to Australia before rolling out globally – that will allow children to report nudity in images and videos being sent to them directly to the company, which could then report the messages to police.
Australia is the first region to get the new feature due to new laws coming into force that require tech companies to police child abuse and terror content on cloud and messaging services that operate in Australia by the end of 2024.
Josh Taylor for The Guardian:
The change comes as part of Thursday’s beta releases of the new versions of Apple’s operating systems for Australian users. It is an extension of communications safety measures that have been turned on by default since iOS 17 for Apple users under 13 but are available to all users. Under the existing safety features, an iPhone automatically detects images and videos that contain nudity children might receive or attempt to send in iMessage, AirDrop, FaceTime and Photos. The detection happens on devices to protect privacy.
If a sensitive image is detected, the young user is shown two intervention screens before they can proceed, and given the offer of resources or a way to contact a parent or guardian.
With the new feature, when the warning comes up, users will also have the option to report the images and videos to Apple.
The device will prepare a report containing the images or videos, as well as messages sent immediately before and after the image or video. It will include the contact information from both accounts, and users can fill out a form describing what happened.
The report will be reviewed by Apple, which can take action on an account – such as disabling that user’s ability to send messages over iMessage – and also report the issue to law enforcement…
Apple had warned that the draft of the code would not protect end-to-end encryption and would leave the communications of everyone who uses the services vulnerable to mass surveillance. The Australian eSafety commissioner ultimately watered down the law, allowing companies that believe it would break end-to-end encryption to demonstrate alternative actions to tackle child abuse and terror content they would take instead.
MacDailyNews Note: Parents can turn Communication Safety on or off in Screen Time settings:
Starting in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS Sonoma, and visionOS 2, Communication Safety is turned on by default. You can adjust the Communication Safety setting for your child’s account in Screen Time settings.
- Open Screen Time settings:
• iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro: Go to Settings > Screen Time.
• Mac: Choose the Apple menu > System Settings, then click Screen Time. -
Select the name of a child in your family group.
- Select Communication Safety.
4, Turn Communication Safety on or off. You might need to enter the Screen Time passcode for the device.
Learn more about Communication Safety on your child’s Apple device here.
You can also turn on Sensitive Content Warning on your Apple devices to help you avoid receiving unwanted nude photos or videos. More info here.
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