Apple is adding a new safety feature that allows children to send a report to Apple when they are sent inappropriate photos or videos via iMessage, according to The Guardian. After reviewing anything received, the company can report the messages to law enforcement.
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The new feature expands on Apple's Safe Communication feature, which uses on- device to detect nudity in photos or videos received via Messages, AirDrop, or a contact's post and blurs them. In addition to blurring the photo or video, Apple also displays a pop-up with options to message an adult, get resources for help, or block the contact.
As part of this new feature, which is now being tested in Australia with iOS 18.2, users will also be able to send a report to Apple about any nudity images or videos.
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Earlier this week, Google announced an expansion of on-device text message scanning in its Android app, which will include an optional sensitive content warning that blurs out images of nudity, as well as offering “resources and options for finding help.” Once it launches, the feature will be enabled by default for users under 18.
The Guardian says that Apple is planning to make the new feature available worldwide, but it did not specify when this could happen. Apple did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
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In 2021, Apple announced a set of child safety features that included scanning a iCloud Photos library for child sexual abuse material and would alert parents when their children sent or received sexual images. After privacy advocates spoke out against the plan, Apple delayed the release of these features to go back to the drawing board and withdrew its plans to scan for child sexual abuse images in December 2022.
Source: theverge
