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kscherer
Which way is up?
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boyzeee
 
2021-08-06, 10:53

It may well be that the only thing that happens on your phone is that the images get a hash from whatever Apple is doing. It appears the photo is not compared until it hits Apple's iCloud server. Then, just the hash is looked at.

Although I am all for the death penalty for child molesters, what concerns me is what is defined as "offensive material". I know from the new digital Miriam Webster Dictionary that the definition of words is updated regularly in order to suit agendas. I also know that if I make an editorial mistake in one of my books, I can correct that mistake on the fly so the next sale results in a corrected manuscript. All this digital crap can be changed on a whim (and you all know it to be true, as the articles you link to are updated/"corrected" on the fly) and I worry that Apple's definition of "offensive" will update/change from region to region, and from politic to politic.

The tech is good, and it's a very bad idea.

And just in time, Edward Snowden and the EFF are blasting Apple, mirroring what I've been saying. Good for them! You guys aren't going to hear me blasting Apple very often, but in this case I won't be silent. This is *EVIL*!

Edit: Also, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who is for this, other than Apple and the cops, and both are being incredibly disingenuous about it. Those of you who do commit "crimes" should be very careful what you store on your phone, because your privacy and security are going to be compromised. Shame on Apple!

Edit 2: A question posed by a commenter on a different forum:

Quote:
"So instead of telling us how it works, because we do get it, perhaps someone could tell us what safeguards are built in to protect protestors in foreign countries in the future? Anyone? Thought not."
It's a valid question, and it deserves a valid answer. We already know that Apple has caved to Chinese Government pressure regarding iCloud (as well as pressure in other countries). Thus, it stands to reason they will cave to the same pressure over this in the very near future.

Edit 3: My boss had a thought, and I'm going on the record with it. So, Apple clearly knew there would be public backlash over this. What if … and it's a stretch … but what if Apple is trying to force legislation over this? In other words, trying to do the opposite of what we think is happening. I mean, kiddie porn? It sounds so noble, but it opens the rest of us up to a type of surveillance we clearly don't want. So, what if it motivates Congress to say, "NOPE!" and they pass a law forbidding this kind of snooping*? Then Apple can say, "Well, we tried." and we all say, "PHEW!"

Just a thought.

* Hell, half of them are probably stars in Epstein's video collection, so they would be highly motivated to end this right now!

Edit 4: Apple knows it will be abused:

Quote:
Apple's known CSAM detection system will be limited to the United States at launch, and to address the potential for some governments to try to abuse the system, Apple confirmed to MacRumors that the company will consider any potential global expansion of the system on a country-by-country basis after conducting a legal evaluation.


China will demand it. Guaranteed!

- AppleNova is the best Mac-users forum on the internet. We are smart, educated, capable, and helpful. We are also loaded with smart-alecks! :)
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Mat 5:9)

Last edited by kscherer : 2021-08-06 at 12:35.
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