Apple has defended its new system that scans users’ phones for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), after a backlash from customers and privacy advocates. The technology searches for matches of known abuse material before the image is uploaded to its iCloud storage.Critics warned it could be a “backdoor” to spy on people, and more than 5,000 people and organizations have signed an open letter against the technology.

As a result, Apple has pledged not to “expand” the system for any reason. Digital privacy campaigners warned last week that authoritarian governments could use the technology to bolster anti-LGBT regimes, or crack down on political dissidents in countries where protests are deemed illegal. But Apple said it would “will not accede to any government’s request to expand” the system.

Article Link – https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58145943

Discussion Questions:

1. Identify three key takeaways from the article. What did you find most interesting?
2. Should companies such as Apple and Google be able to use these types of technologies? Why or why not?
3. Do you think these types of technologies pose risks to your security and privacy?

Source: “www.bbc.com” August 8, 2021.