Apple is being sued for its decision not to implement a planned system to scan iCloud photos for child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The lawsuit, according to The New York Times, alleges that Apple’s inaction allows the continued spread of such material, exacerbating harm for victims.
The plaintiff, identified under a pseudonym, claims Apple abandoned its responsibility to safeguard users. The lawsuit argues that the company had announced “a widely touted improved design aimed at protecting children” but failed to “implement those designs or take any measures to detect and limit” CSAM.
Apple first announced the detection system in 2021. The technology was designed to identify known CSAM using digital signatures provided by organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. However, following backlash from privacy advocates, who warned the system could be exploited for surveillance, Apple appeared to shelve the plans indefinitely.
The plaintiff, a 27-year-old woman, alleges she was molested as an infant, and images of her abuse were distributed online. She continues to receive near-daily notifications from law enforcement about individuals charged with possessing those images.
Attorney James Marsh, who represents the plaintiff, stated that as many as 2,680 potential victims could be eligible for compensation in this case.
In response to inquiries, an Apple spokesperson reiterated to The Times that the company is “urgently and actively innovating to combat these crimes without compromising the security and privacy of all our users.”
This isn’t the first time Apple has faced scrutiny over CSAM detection. In August, a separate lawsuit accused the company of failing to adequately address CSAM on iCloud, filed by a 9-year-old girl and her guardian.
The case reignites debates over balancing privacy concerns with the need for stronger measures to combat online child exploitation.
