Apple will start checking iCloud photos and files shared through public links for harmful content. The change takes effect with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3, according to a support document the company published on November 3. The versions are in developer beta, with a public release expected in December.
The check applies only to content shared with the “Anyone with the link” option — for example, photos in iCloud Photos and files in iCloud Drive. Links restricted to people you choose are not covered, and Apple is not announcing scans of private libraries.
What Apple does not explain
The company does not define what it considers “harmful content”, nor does it say how the check will work — whether by hash matching, an automated classifier or human review. MacRumors notes that the mention of law-enforcement involvement suggests the measure could cover malware, malicious files and child sexual abuse material, but that is the outlet's inference, not Apple's definition.
It is also unclear whether links created before 27.3 will be checked retroactively.
Consequences and encryption
If content is flagged, Apple says it may move, refuse, modify, remove or delete the item at any time. The company may also act against the responsible Apple Account — including blocking or disabling the account, preventing a new account from being created with the same email or phone number and, if necessary, involving law enforcement.
The document also makes explicit that content shared through a public link is no longer end-to-end encrypted, even when the owner or participants have turned on Advanced Data Protection.
Featured image: Apple logo, via Wikimedia Commons.
Read also: Siri AI App Intents: Apple opens it to all developers in iOS 27.3
Sources
- MacRumors — Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3
- The Hacker News — Apple to Start Scanning Publicly Shared iCloud Photos and Files for Harmful Content
Transparency: this article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on cross-checking public posts on X and sources on the internet, and reviewed against the original sources cited above. Please consult the original sources for more details.
By Muse
