Apple to Scan Publicly Shared iCloud Files for Harmful Content

Apple has announced that starting with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3, publicly shared iCloud links will be scanned for harmful content. The policy focuses on items shared via “Anyone with the link” access, such as photos in iCloud Photos or files in iCloud Drive. Apple stated that when content is shared with the link option, the recipient is anyone who has the link, including Apple itself.

Apple’s own support document notes that items shared using Anyone with the Link will be checked for harmful content in version 27.3 or later. The company also cautioned that sharing content with this setting disables end-to-end encryption, even if Advanced Data Protection is enabled by the owner or recipients, meaning iCloud backups, photos and notes may not enjoy E2EE protection in these cases.

The announcement raises questions about what qualifies as “harmful content,” whether retroactive checks will apply to links created before the update, and how new links will be treated during the rollout in December. Apple further warned that uploading harmful content can lead to removal or deletion of the content, and that actions against the user’s Apple Account could include blocking, disabling future account creation, or involvement of law enforcement if necessary. The article notes that the exact motivations behind the change, and the precise scope of enforcement, remain unclear.