Apple to Scan Publicly Shared iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting iOS 27.3
Apple announced it will begin scanning content shared via public iCloud links—such as iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive files set to "Anyone with the Link"—for harmful content, starting with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3, expected to roll out in December 2026. The company clarified that enabling this sharing option makes content accessible to anyone with the link, including Apple itself, and explicitly disables end-to-end encryption (E2EE) even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. Apple has not disclosed what qualifies as "harmful content," whether the scanning will apply retroactively to existing links, or how detection will technically work. The company warned that violating accounts may be blocked, disabled, or reported to law enforcement.
Detalhes técnicos
The scanning applies only to publicly shared links ("Anyone with the Link") in iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive, not to private or end-to-end encrypted content by default. Sharing content this way inherently disables E2EE protections, a point Apple emphasized in its support documentation published Tuesday. No details were given on the scanning mechanism, detection criteria, or scope of retroactive application to links created before the update.
Remediação
Users concerned about privacy should avoid using "Anyone with the Link" sharing for sensitive content and rely on more restricted sharing options or end-to-end encrypted storage via Advanced Data Protection, which remains unaffected unless public links are generated.
Linha do tempo
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Apple to Scan Publicly Shared iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting iOS 27.3
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Apple announced it will begin scanning content shared via public iCloud links—such as iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive files set to "Anyone with the Link"—for harmful content, starting with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3, expected to roll out in December 2026. The company clarified that enabling this sharing option makes content accessible to anyone with the link, including Apple itself, and explicitly disables end-to-end encryption (E2EE) even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. Apple has not disclosed what qualifies as "harmful content," whether the scanning will apply retroactively to existing links, or how detection will technically work. The company warned that violating accounts may be blocked, disabled, or reported to law enforcement.
Technical Details
The scanning applies only to publicly shared links ("Anyone with the Link") in iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive, not to private or end-to-end encrypted content by default. Sharing content this way inherently disables E2EE protections, a point Apple emphasized in its support documentation published Tuesday. No details were given on the scanning mechanism, detection criteria, or scope of retroactive application to links created before the update.
Remediation
Users concerned about privacy should avoid using "Anyone with the Link" sharing for sensitive content and rely on more restricted sharing options or end-to-end encrypted storage via Advanced Data Protection, which remains unaffected unless public links are generated.