Overview
- Apple announced the change in a support document and will enable the feature with iOS 27.3 and matching iPadOS, macOS and visionOS updates scheduled for December 2026.
- The scanning applies only to items shared with the “Anyone with the link” public option and covers files and photos stored in iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive.
- Apple says it can move, reject, modify, or delete content that is flagged, suspend or deactivate associated Apple accounts, block new accounts tied to the same contact details, and in some cases notify law enforcement.
- The company did not define what counts as “harmful content” or disclose the scanning technology it will use, though experts cited by coverage expect it to target things like child sexual abuse material and malware.
- Users who want privacy for sensitive files should share with specific people or send a copy because those targeted shares remain end-to-end encrypted and are exempt from the new checks, but the change raises questions about false positives and transparency.