In iOS 18.2, Apple is adding a new feature that resurrects some of the intent behind its halted CSAM scanning plans -- this time, without breaking end-to-end encryption or providing government backdoors. Rolling out first in Australia, the company's expansion of its Communication Safety feature uses on-device machine learning to detect and blur nude content, adding warnings and requiring confirmation before users can proceed. If the child is under 13, they can't continue without entering the device's Screen Time passcode. If the device's onboard machine learning detects nude content, the feature automatically blurs the photo or video, displays a warning that the content may be sensitive and offers ways to get help. The choices include leaving the conversation or group thread, blocking the person and accessing online safety resources.

A safety feature that uses AI technology to scan messages sent to and from children will soon hit British iPhones, Apple has announced. The feature, referred to as "communication safety in Messages", allows parents to turn on warnings for their children's iPhones. When enabled, all photos sent or received by the child using the Messages app will be scanned for nudity. If nudity is found in photos received by a child with the setting turned on, the photo will be blurred, and the child will be warned that it may contain sensitive content and nudged towards resources from child safety groups. If nudity is found in photos sent by a child, similar protections kick in, and the child is encouraged not to send the images, and given an option to "Message a Grown-Up".

Last month, Apple announced that it will be introducing new child safety features in three areas, developed in collaboration with child safety experts. After backlash from various industry experts including whistleblower Edward Snowden, Apple has now decided to back down from this initiative. On Friday, Apple issued a statement saying that they have taken the feedback of customers, researchers and advocacy groups into consideration and have decided to step back for now. "We have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features," read the statement. According to Snowden, no matter how well-intentioned, Apple is rolling out mass surveillance to the entire world with this.

Apple said it will delay the release of child safety features which included scanning phones in the U.S. for images of child abuse. In a statement emailed to USA TODAY Friday, Apple said it would take time to consider improvements to the features, which had been criticized for potentially harming users' privacy. "Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features," said the company. Introduced in August, the child safety features were aimed at limiting the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The features included tools in the Messages app warning kids and parents when they send or receive sexually explicit photos.

Apple says it's delaying the rollout of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) detection tools "to make improvements" following pushback from critics. The features include one that analyzes iCloud Photos for known CSAM, which has caused concern among privacy advocates. "Last month we announced plans for features intended to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them, and limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material," Apple told 9to5Mac in a statement. "Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features." Apple planned to roll out the CSAM detection systems as part of upcoming OS updates, namely iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS Monterey.