Apple Faces $1.2 Billion Lawsuit Over Abandoned CSAM Detection Plan

The lawsuit alleges Apple’s decision not to implement its proposed iCloud scanning technology allowed child sexual abuse material to proliferate, causing harm to victims.

The class-action lawsuit, filed in Northern California, represents 2,680 victims seeking $1.2 billion in damages from Apple.
The complaint accuses Apple of failing to implement a planned on-device CSAM detection system announced in 2021, which was later abandoned due to privacy concerns.
Apple faced backlash from privacy advocates who argued the system could be exploited for government surveillance, leading the company to scrap the initiative.
Victims argue that Apple’s decision has perpetuated the circulation of harmful content, forcing them to repeatedly relive their trauma.
Apple defends its commitment to child safety, citing existing features like Communication Safety, while emphasizing the need to balance privacy and security.