S.T.O.P. Welcomes Apple’s Pause Of neuralMatch, Demands End To iPhone Surveillance Plans

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Welcomes Apple’s Pause Of neuralMatch, Demands End To iPhone Surveillance Plans (New York, NY, 9/3/2021) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, welcomes Apple’s decision to pause rollout of neuralMatch, but the group repeated calls for Apple to end any plans for the controversial iPhone and iPad surveillance software. First announced last month, neuralMatch would scan users’ photos, iMessage communications, and search queries for alleged child sexual abuse material. The civil rights group warned that the software could alert users’ parents or police when content is allegedly found, raising safety risks for LGBTQ+ teens living with homophobic or transphobic parents. SEE: CNBC - Apple delays its criticized plan to scan iPhones for child exploitation images https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/03/apple-delays-controversial-plan-to-scan-iphones-for-child-exploitation-images.html The Verge - Apple delays controversial child protection features after privacy outcry https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/3/22655644/apple-delays-controversial-child-protection-features-csam-privacy “Pausing iPhone surveillance isn’t good enough; Apple needs to scrap neuralMatch,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “Installing spyware on iPhones is a bad idea today, and it'll still be a bad idea in six months. Apple made billions by selling us iPhones and iPads with the promise they would be private, but neuralMatch would turn our own devices into government surveillance tools. When this software makes mistakes, it could be deadly. Even after this pause, I fear that Apple’s announcement already gave authoritarian governments a roadmap on how to dismantle iPhone’s privacy protections.” Last month, the civil rights group condemned the announcement of neuralMatch.  SEE: S.T.O.P. Condemns Apple iPhone Photo Surveillance Software: neuralMatch https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/8/6/stop-condemns-apple-iphone-photo-surveillance-software-neuralmatch WIRED - Apple’s Privacy Mythology Doesn’t Match Reality https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-apples-privacy-mythology-doesnt-match-reality/ Kendra Albert Twitter Thread https://twitter.com/KendraSerra/status/1423365222841135114 The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn;   Copyright © 2019 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.