Apple to Check Public iCloud Share Links for 'Harmful Content'

Apple has announced that iCloud items shared using "Anyone with the Link" will be checked for harmful content. The change comes with version 27.3 of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, which went to developers in beta on Tuesday, with a general release expected in December. It applies only to content shared through links open to anyone, not to items shared directly with other people.

Apple says the public link option removes end-to-end encryption from the shared item, even if Advanced Data Protection is switched on for the account. Apple also says it can access such items. If it finds harmful content, it reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete it, block or disable associated accounts, and involve law enforcement where necessary.

Several questions remain open. Apple has not defined what counts as harmful content, explained how the checks will work, or said whether human moderators, automated systems or both will make decisions. The Register notes that without a clear definition, users are left relying on Apple's judgement, and that automated moderation can make mistakes. For businesses that use iCloud links to share files, this means anything posted through a public link could be reviewed and removed, and accounts could be affected.