Apple's plans to scan photos in iCloud to find child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were criticized by Edward Snowden and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
Apple announced that with the upcoming iOS 15 will start scanning personal data to find movies and messages to children containing prohibited content.
In a series of tweets, activist Edward Snowden has expressed concern that Apple is implementing a form of "mass surveillance around the world" and setting a precedent that could allow the company to scan any other content arbitrarily in the future.
Edward Snowden also mentioned that Apple has always defended digital protection of privacy after he once even refused to unlock an iPhone that belonged to him Syed Farook, one of the perpetrators of the attacks on San Bernardino of California.
Despite orders from the FBI and a federal judge to do so, Apple opposed the order, saying it could set a "dangerous precedent."
EFF, on the other hand, is a distinguished international non-profit group for digital rights, explicitly condemned Apple's decision, stating that it is extremely "disappointing" that a "champion of end-to-end encryption" changes "face for users who have relied on the company's history for privacy and security".
The EFF highlighted how various governments around the world have passed laws requiring surveillance and censorship περιεχομένου σε διάφορες πλατφόρμες, όπως τις εφαρμογές ανταλλαγής messages, and that the movement Apple's ability to scan messages and "iCloud Photos" could be used legally to demand tracking of additional information.
"Make no mistake: this is a reduction in the quality of privacy for all iCloud Photos users, not an improvement," EFF said.
