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> the CSAM mechanism as is is not all that plausible to abuse either technically or socially given how clear Apple’s promises are. That’s the problem: Apples p
by Aaargh20318 5y ago
> the CSAM mechanism as is is not all that plausible to abuse either technically or socially given how clear Apple’s promises are.
That’s the problem: Apples promise means nothing exactly because it’s so easy to abuse.
Apple says they will refuse when asked to scan for anything that is not CSAM. That’s one of those nice ‘technically true’ statements lawyers like to include.
Apple will not have to refuse anything, because they won’t be asked.
Apple doesn’t get a huge pile of CSAM images (obviously), they get a list of hashes from a 3rd party. They have no way of ensuring that these hashes are only for CSAM content. And when ‘manually’ checking, they aren’t actually looking at potential CSAM, they are checking the ‘visual derivative’ (whatever that means exactly), basically a manual check if the hashes match.
So yes, they would technically refuse if asked to scan for other material, but they will just accept any list of hashes provided to them by NCMEC (an organization created by the US government and funded by the US DoJ) no questions asked. The US government could include any hash they wish into this list without Apple ever noticing.
- zepto 5y ago> And when ‘manually’ checking, they aren’t actually looking at potential CSAM, they are checking the ‘visual derivative’ (whatever that means exactly), basically a manual check if the hashes match. The visual derivative is enough to tell the difference between a collection of CSAM and say documents, or pictures of protests. It can’t be abused without Apple’s involvement.
- Aaargh20318 5y ago> The visual derivative is enough to tell the difference between a collection of CSAM and say documents, or pictures of protests. How would you know ? They have never given details on what this 'visual derivative' actually is. If it's detailed enough to recognise it as CSAM, then Apple isn't allowed to look at it.
- zepto 5y agoThat’s a fair point. However this is moot anyway. Using this mechanism to search for things other than CSAM would be unconstitutional under the 4th amendment. https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/08/12/a-38-year-old-charity-will-be-integrated-into-apples-newest-operating-system https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/08/12/a-38-year...