Apple has paused plans to scan devices for child abuse and exploitation material after the tool prompted concern among users and privacy groups.

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"Previously we announced plans for features intended to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them and to help limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material," Apple said. "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."

Green said it was a positive move on Apple's part to take the time to consider the rollout. The EFF said it was "pleased" with Apple's decision, but added that listening is not enough -- the tech giant should "drop its plans to put a backdoor into its encryption entirely."

"The features Apple announced a month ago, intending to help protect children, would create an infrastructure that is all too easy to redirect to greater surveillance and censorship," the digital rights group says. "These features would create an enormous danger to iPhone users' privacy and security, offering authoritarian governments a new mass surveillance system to spy on citizens."

Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-slams-the-brakes-on-plans-to-scan-user-iphones-for-child-abuse-content/?ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid={%24external_id}&mid={%24MESSAGE_ID}&cid={%24contact_id}&eh={%24CF_emailHash}