Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple's iPhone scanning scandal and the Mac
- Thread starter Blue Quark
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
True, we should all use Linux for “private files” with this revelation.But not Linux
I confess, I did. Locked myself and my family to Apple. Got all enthusiastic about Apple’s promises. I even bought used discontinued Apple routers so I could stay all Apple. SMH. I should have known that the Silicone Valley company would eventually cave to the woke. I see now that it was a big mistake to lock us in to one company that can turn on you with one decision. Time to diversify.
The feature is delayed
You can see it here, on top of the page
You can see it here, on top of the page
Linux can be forced to do the same from law enforcement or lobbying groups. It’s really only a matter of time.But not Linux
Ahem... Linux is open source. That means anybody can download the source, modify it as they see fit, and build their own OS, utilities, and apps essentially from scratch. So how, exactly, would LE and special interest groups accomplish this?
They can restrict Linux distribution or mandate relevant packages for those more mainstream distros that has more support than those niche ones. It is harder in the open source community but not entirely out of question either.Ahem... Linux is open source. That means anybody can download the source, modify it as they see fit, and build their own OS, utilities, and apps essentially from scratch. So how, exactly, would LE and special interest groups accomplish this?
Linux distributions will not be affected. It’s the service providers that’s require to report CSAM contents stored in their servers if they knew about it.
But if a law is passed requiring such detection, and Linux distribution is not doing it, anyone using it will run the risks of running illegal software.
Yeah, this is my concern: outlaw software that does not have CSAM detection built in, meaning people who wants to remove those risk breaking the law. “Government approved Linux”.
Well, I’m a glass half full kind of person. Laws are always passed with a certain objective. There’ll probably be better ways to combat CP.
Yes, there will probably be better way. But, human nature means when tackling a tough question, they tend to pick the quickest and the most straightforward way that is easy to implement, but so terrible that side effects might just cancel out all the benefits.
That’s the discussion for another day.
With these concerns you owe it to yourself to learn more. In the USA, government cannot compel searches like this, so "Government Approved" Linux isn't a thing. I can't explain everything or answer all your questions, but suggest you follow and donate to EFF to learn more.
That's why End to End Encryption is the only way. We can place 0 trust in service providers and only send then encrypted data, noise.
@Shirasaki @quarkysg I don't quite understand your thinking here so figured I would ask directly. It seems you have many objections here.
In your opinion, what do you want to happen here? What do you want readers to understand? What do you want users to do?
In your opinion, what do you want to happen here? What do you want readers to understand? What do you want users to do?
There is nothing “I want” to happen cause I have no power. What I want to say is governments nowadays have way too much power and they could take away what we love the most in a whim in the disguise of good cause. CSAM is just one of those many steps toward I’d argue inevitable.
Using Linux is certainly the way to go to avoid CSAM scan in the near future (5-10 years maybe), but nobody know what will happen afterwards. Windows, like macOS, will follow soon enough. If Linux desktop gains enough traction from Windows users or macOS users and become more or less mainstream, things might change. The takeaway at this point I think is: enjoy the freedom in Linux while you still can.
I have no objections here. I’m just saying that businesses have to obey the local laws they operate in. I’m not as pessimistic as many in the forums tends to paint. The politicians passing the laws will also be affected.
Users have to educate themselves and not let their biases colour their judgement.
Will do! Open source is the way. And hey, you have plenty of power. Just look at all the pushback on this feature that got a response from Apple.
Thanks. Can you be more specific in regards to the topic, what relevant laws do businesses need to obey in this case?
Under current structure, customers need to be en masse before they can have any sort of impact. Just look at how much pressure Apple receives before they decide to delay CSAM scan: a couple dozen organisations, Germany, wide media coverage etc. I am not the right person to pull the trigger on anything tbh. So, enjoy current Linux while you still can.
I emailed Tim Cook and a well known VP at Apple and got a personal reply. So can you. Be the change you wish to be.
This is exactly what people who have an issue need to do. It's all well and good crapping about on a forum, but it does absolutely nothing. This is what you need to do if you are concerned about this. Let them know how you feel.
I told them I had just bought a non-Apple laptop and that I was leaving the ecosystem after 20 years and to kill this csam crap yesterday.
The government and three letter agencies can do whatever you cannot stop them from doing.
i.e. anything they want.