Apple is under fire after a new iPhone feature, Enhanced Visual Search, sparked privacy concerns among users.
The feature, which was automatically enabled for all users, scans photos to identify landmarks and locations by comparing them against a central database.
While Apple claims the feature uses encryption to protect privacy, many users are uncomfortable with the idea of their photos being processed in the cloud, even if the data is anonymized.
The controversy stems from Apple’s handling of the update. Privacy experts argue that the lack of transparency and the automatic opt-in process are problematic.
Users are frustrated that they were not informed about the feature before it was activated.
Despite Apple’s assurances that the process is secure, the idea of cloud-based photo scanning raises concerns about the potential for broader surveillance, especially after a similar issue occurred with Appleโs CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) scanning proposal in 2021.
Although Apple has provided an option to disable Enhanced Visual Search, critics argue that the feature should have been more clearly communicated, and users should have been given more control over their data from the start.
This situation has sparked a debate over the balance between privacy and convenience in the tech world.
