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@ Final
2025-02-22 19:05:27
It's not as easy to use iCloud for it as they might think. It would count stored in their file storage, wouldn't show up in their iOS Gallery app at all, nor would it be the seamless user experience they're expecting. They'd have to use the Cryptomator app to view their files. If you're backing up to another cloud then you're going to be using that app as a gallery app as well.
As for the client-side scanning, most of it is FUD written by other companies to advertise their products or their low effort tech media. There is no omnipotent program just reading and taking whatever they want to Apple, people would easily call out this is happening by just showing rather than saying. Most AI features are done on device. Any data that needs to be sent elsewhere is done through their Private Cloud Compute system which is meant to keep any requests private. It's heavily documented on their web site and security-critical components of it are open source.
https://security.apple.com/documentation/private-cloud-compute
https://security.apple.com/blog/private-cloud-compute/
https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/iphone/iphe3f499e0e/ios
Apple overwhelmingly document what they see and the technical details of their software and services. They tell you what can and can't be seen in-depth, but most choose to not read their manuals.
You can opt out of Apple Intelligence if you have it by disabling Apple Intelligence and Siri in the settings app. Some countries don't even have it at all. They're also only available on the latest iPhones so most don't even have Apple Intelligence if they're phone is a couple years old anyways.