Apple will begin reviewing iCloud content that users share through the “Anyone with the Link” setting, the company has confirmed. The policy takes effect with version 27.3 of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, meaning Apple will scan link-shared iCloud files for material it considers harmful.
The change is described in an Apple support document, which states that when a user shares an item accessible to anyone holding the link in version 27.3 or later, that content becomes available to Apple for review. The same document notes that choosing this sharing option also means the item is no longer protected by end-to-end encryption.
What the Policy Covers
The scanning applies specifically to items distributed with the broadest sharing permission Apple offers. Content shared through more restricted channels is not addressed in the document. The support page does not spell out what qualifies as “harmful content,” leaving the term undefined in Apple’s public guidance.
Apple’s document does outline a range of possible responses. According to the company, it reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete any harmful content a user tries to upload. Apple may also block or disable accounts, stop someone from creating a new account, or involve law enforcement when it deems that step necessary.
Timing and Background
The company released the first developer betas of the 27.3 updates on the day before the support document was reported, and has said it expects to ship iOS 27.3 in December. The scanning policy is tied to that release cycle across all four platforms.
The move follows public pressure from protesters who have urged Apple to take stronger action against child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud. The support document does not explicitly link the new scanning policy to that campaign, and Apple has not publicly defined the categories of content its checks will target.
Encryption Trade-off
For users, the most concrete consequence is the loss of end-to-end encryption on link-shared items. End-to-end encryption generally prevents the service provider from accessing the contents of protected data. Under the new terms, files shared with anyone who has the link fall outside that protection, which is what allows Apple to inspect them.
The policy does not appear to change protections for iCloud content shared through other methods, based on the support document. Apple has not said whether the scanning will be automated, conducted by human reviewers, or both. It also has not specified how quickly content will be checked or what notice users will receive if their material is removed or their account is restricted.
What Users Should Know
- The policy begins with version 27.3 of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS.
- It applies to items shared using the “Anyone with the Link” permission.
- Such items are no longer end-to-end encrypted.
- Apple says it may move, refuse, modify, remove or delete harmful content.
- Apple may block or disable accounts and may involve law enforcement.
- The company has not defined “harmful content” in its public document.
The developer betas are already available, and the public release of iOS 27.3 is expected in December. Users who rely on link-based sharing for photos, documents or other files may want to consider whether a more limited sharing option better suits their privacy needs once the update arrives.
