Apple will begin scanning iCloud content shared via public links for “harmful content” starting with iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3, the company announced in November 2026. The first developer betas for the 27.3 updates launched the day before the announcement, with a full public release planned for December 2026.
According to a support document reported on by 9to5Mac, any iCloud item shared under “Anyone with the Link” permissions in version 27.3 or later will be “made accessible to Apple to check for harmful content.” Items shared under those permissions will also no longer be end-to-end encrypted.
Apple’s support document does not define what constitutes “harmful content.” The policy change follows calls from protestors for Apple to take action against child sexual abuse material stored in iCloud.
Under the new policy, Apple says it “reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete” any harmful content a user attempts to upload. The company may also block or disable accounts, prevent users from creating new accounts, or involve law enforcement if it deems that necessary.
The change applies specifically to content shared publicly — items shared only with specific people are not mentioned in the policy. However, the loss of end-to-end encryption for publicly shared links may raise concerns among users who previously relied on that protection, as it means Apple will have access to the content of those shared files.
Source: The Verge