Apple to Scan iCloud Content Shared via Public Links

Apple is introducing a new review mechanism for content shared through iCloud with the "Anyone with the link" permission. According to a company support document, in iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS 27.3 and later, items shared this way will be made accessible to Apple for harmful-content checks.

The change directly affects users who make an iCloud item publicly available through a link. The document also states that shares made with the "Anyone with the link" permission will no longer be end-to-end encrypted.

What is changing

Under Apple's support document, when a user on iOS, iPadOS, macOS or visionOS 27.3 or later shares an item with "Anyone with the link" access, that content becomes accessible to Apple for harmful-content checks. The rule is not limited to the iPhone: shares made from iPads, Macs and devices running visionOS fall within the same scope.

This type of sharing also removes end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption is generally understood as a protection method in which data can be decrypted only on the sender's and recipient's devices, so the service provider in between cannot read the content. Content made public through a link sits outside that protection.

"Harmful content" is not defined

Apple's support document does not define exactly what "harmful content" covers. That vagueness leaves open questions about the limits of the policy and about which kinds of content will be flagged. The approach comes after protesters called on Apple to take tougher action against child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.

The company says it reserves the right to move, reject, modify, remove or delete harmful content that users try to upload. Possible penalties listed include blocking or disabling accounts, preventing a user from opening a new account and, "if necessary," involving law enforcement.

Release timing and what it means for users

Apple released the first developer betas of 27.3 yesterday. The company also recently said it plans to release iOS 27.3 in December. If that timeline holds, the new rule will take effect with the stable release after the beta period.

Users who share files through links in iCloud may therefore want to reassess what their sharing settings mean for privacy. For those who care about keeping end-to-end encryption, the "Anyone with the link" option will, according to the document, become a sharing method that falls outside that protection. The document gives no details on other types of sharing, so it can only be said that content made public via a link is covered.