It sounds like an idea we can all get behind. Apple who manufacture one of the most popular range of compact cameras (albeit they are built into the iPhones, iPads and iPods we all carry), want to do their bit to keep our’s and the world’s children safe. What better idea than to use AI to scan all the images that are stored in their iCloud, examining the content (not the hash value (The Economist, 2021)), and reporting any content that is suspicious by virtue of it failing (or should that be passing?) the AI tests.
But what about false positives? The social and personal implications of mistakes? Is this legal (where you live)? To whom and how does it get reported? There are strict rules for the handling of such digital evidence in the UK laid out by the Association of Chief Constables (Williams, 2012) – how will they be handled?. Cross-border issues?
The simple privacy issue of yours, mine, my children’s, everyone’s images will be examined?
Since announcing this service will be included in the forth coming iOS 15, Apple has altered their statements and proposal several times as issues and concerns have been raised.
Bruce Schneier has collected some of the best links looking at Apple’s proposal to scan all the images stored in the iCloud for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
More on Apple’s iPhone Backdoor – Schneier on Security
For anyone interested in their privacy you should read this post and the associated articles. You don’t have an iPhone – but have you ever had your photo taken by someone with an iPhone? Think about that.
Clive Catton MSc (Cyber Security) – by-line and other articles
If your board has to navigate these type of privacy and social interest questions we have a working framework and experts available to help guide you through these type of decisions.
References:
Hashing ambiguous; Finding abused children. (2021). The Economist (London), 23–.
Williams, J., 2012. ACPO good practice guide for digital evidence. Metropolitan Police Service, Association of chief police officers, GB, pp.1556-6013.
