John,
This is a really big problem:
Apple announced that its iOS 15 update will include an unprecedented backdoor it will use to scan photos and messages on your Apple devices. This is a shocking departure from Apple’s commitment to privacy, and unless we stop this now, other tech companies could follow suit.
Tell Apple: No spyware! No backdoors! Protect the privacy and safety of our phones!
Apple claims that this decision is meant to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). There is no question that child abuse is a crisis that needs to be addressed, but broad surveillance of peoples’ devices is not the solution.
This type of surveillance puts marginalized people, including children, in particular risk. LBGTQ+ kids could be exposed and put in harmful situations.1 Authoritarian countries could demand Apple start scanning for other content and targeting people flagged for anything from activism to homosexuality.2 And end-to-end encryption will be impossible, which puts everyones’ communications at risk.3
There is still time to stop this—Apple could reverse course and decide to not push this update. There has already been a major outpouring of opposition from civil rights groups, developers, and technologists (even from within Apple).4 Now is your chance to make your opposition clear: tell Apple to cancel this update and keep our phones safe!
This is yet another example of Apple using its monopoly power to control the devices you own. Similar to how Apple only allows users to download apps from its App Store, the company does not allow people to remove these features. That’s why we need to stop Apple from pushing this update before it’s too late.
Take action now.
Together,
Caitlin at Fight for the Future
Footnotes:
1. Center for Democracy & Technology: https://cdt.org/press/cdt-apples-changes-to-messaging-and-photo-services-threaten-users-security-and-privacy/
2. Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaepora/status/1423388549529968645
3. EFF: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/apples-plan-think-different-about-encryption-opens-backdoor-your-private-life
4. Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-apples-child-protection-features-spark-concern-within-its-own-ranks-2021-08-12/
Fight for the Future works to protect your rights in the digital age.
