iOS sensitive Warning Problem

[dialogos]

It might be easier to e-mail the photos to people instead of using AirDrop or iMessage. I don't think you'll get any kind of sensitive content warning there.

After the latest addition to our family was born, we took gigabytes of photos and videos 😅😂. I can't imagine emailing all of them to each grandparent! 🤣

 

[MajorFubar]

Once again, thank you for the message. I am not an advocate of draconian rules. However, in this case, Apple's implementation is flawed. For example, one of the photos that was recently blocked depicts my baby taking a shower. Here are the relevant details:

1. The photo was sent by my wife.
2. She is part of my family account.
3. She is in my contacts.
4. She sends me photos every day.
5. The child was already recognized in the Photos app as my child, so the face recognition had already worked.
6. The photo was taken at home, with the GPS location tagged as our home.
7. I had recently accepted another photo with a content warning from my wife, so the system should have recognized this pattern.

How many more flags does Apple need to understand that this is safe content?

I think you understand my feelings on this, and that fundamentally I'm on your side.

But if it was possible to 'allow-list' photos based on your criteria, literally all of these allow-list criteria could be used by unsavoury people to distribute CSAM under the radar. For example:

1...The context of it being sent by someone you have identified as a 'wife' means nothing...could still be CSAM (yes I know it isn't in this case, but that's not the point).
2...See 1
3...See 1
4...See 1
5...How does it know the baby is your child? Answer: because you've taught it what your baby looks like. It isn't really going "Ah no issue here, this is clearly this guy's kid, look at the eyes he can't deny that one". So...see 1
6...How is it being in the place you've told Apple is your 'home' mean that it's any less likely to be illegal content? Also, GPS locations are editable. So, see 1
7...See 1

EDIT: The big question is, should it be the responsibility of Apple (or insert any other technology-company here) to attempt to flag content that is potentially CSAM, and would they be found culpable/negligent if they did not.

 

[dialogos]

I think you understand my feelings on this, and that fundamentally I'm on your side.

But if it was possible to 'allow-list' photos based on your criteria, literally all of these allow-list criteria could be used by unsavoury people to distribute CSAM under the radar. For example:

1...The context of it being sent by someone you have identified as a 'wife' means nothing...could still be CSAM (yes I know it isn't in this case, but that's not the point).
2...See 1
3...See 1
4...See 1
5...How does it know the baby is your child? Answer: because you've taught it what your baby looks like. It isn't really going "Ah no issue here, this is clearly this guy's kid, look at the eyes he can't deny that one". So...see 1
6...How is it being in the place you've told Apple is your 'home' mean that it's any less likely to be illegal content? Also, GPS locations are editable. So, see 1
7...See 1

EDIT: The big question is, should it be the responsibility of Apple (or insert any other technology-company here) to attempt to flag content that is potentially CSAM, and would they be found culpable/negligent if they did not.

I’m heading into a meeting, but I’m enjoying our conversation.

Just a quick note on your last point: I was against CSAM due to the potential for misuse, based on what I’ve read - I am not an expert in tech, just a user that loves technology - . I don’t have time to provide detailed arguments now, but I wanted to share my opinion.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Thank you very much for your response. I have already spoken with them twice over the phone. They didn’t mention anything about logging a feature enhancement request.

You can log your feedback here:

https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/

More appropriate portal for users:

Feedback - iPhone

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about iPhone.

www.apple.com

When an older person, like a grandparent, buys a new iOS device, the sensitive content warning is turned on by default.

Ahem...

Note: Sensitive Content Warning is turned on automatically if you set up Screen Time and turn on Communication Safety. See Check for sensitive images.

Receive warnings about sensitive content on iPhone

Have your iPhone check for sensitive images and warn you before you view them.

support.apple.com

One of the photos that was blocked yesterday showed my baby from the back at the beach, with her bottom showing. It’s a lovely photo taken from my wife’s phone at a location we frequently visit. It's unacceptable that this photo was blocked, and I don't care if Apple doesn’t recognize my child’s face. They should figure it out.

Using the term "nude photos" for pictures of my own children is a bit too much. It's a baby 🙄

No, it’s not "too much.” It is nudity. You and other family members thinking/feeling it’s beautiful doesn’t change that fact.

nude
[no͞od]
adjective

1. wearing no clothes; naked:
   "a painting of a nude model"

Use a shared Photo album or exclude AirDrop from being affected by the Sensitive Content system.

I've used shared albums a lot, but they’re not very convenient. For example, there are times when we want to send a new photo via iMessage or AirDrop. Additionally, older people often struggle with using photo albums.

Yes, a photo album is one solution, but this problem could be easily avoided if family members could be added to a safe list. Don't you think so?

You need to navigate through several steps: go to Settings, then Privacy, then Sensitive Content Warning, which guides you to Screen Time, and so on. How is an older person, like a grandparent in my family group, supposed to manage this?

So… You do recognize and acknowledge there are solutions/workarounds.

However...

Critical thinking does appear to be an extremely difficult thing for many people. And stubbornness and laziness are always great excuses err reasons.


To extend on the sub-discussion with @MajorFubar

Family Members and Friends are the Most Common Perpetrators

Studies have consistently shown that family members and friends are the most common perpetrators of abuse. For example, a study by the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse found that the vast majority of children who are sexually abused are abused by someone they know, often a family member or a trusted adult.

Similarly, a study by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that family members commit elder abuse in nearly 6 out of 10 cases. Other studies have found that family members are the most common perpetrators of nearly every type of elder abuse.

Why is Abuse More Common with Family and Friends?

There are several reasons why abuse is more common with family and friends. One reason is that abusers often use their relationship with the victim to gain trust and manipulate them. Additionally, family and friends may have a sense of familiarity and comfort with the victim, which can make it easier for them to commit abuse.

Another reason is that family and friends may feel a sense of entitlement or control over the victim, which can lead them to abuse their power. Furthermore, the victim may feel a sense of loyalty or obligation to the abuser, which can make it difficult for them to seek help or report the abuse.

 

[dialogos]

More appropriate portal for users:

Feedback - iPhone

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about iPhone.

www.apple.com

Ahem...

Receive warnings about sensitive content on iPhone

Have your iPhone check for sensitive images and warn you before you view them.

support.apple.com

No, it’s not "too much.” It is nudity. You and other family members thinking/feeling it’s beautiful doesn’t change that fact.




So… You do recognize and acknowledge there are solutions/workarounds.

However...

Critical thinking does appear to be an extremely difficult thing for many people. And stubbornness and laziness are always great excuses err reasons.


To extend on the sub-discussion with @MajorFubar

I appreciate your input, but I feel your comments suggest I lack critical thinking and indirectly imply that I'm lazy. Additionally, defining what nudity is feels condescending. I believe there's a more respectful way to engage in this discussion without schooling others. Thank you for understanding.

I can't disable sensitive warning messages on a device that's a few hours away by plane, and it's challenging to give instructions to an 89-year-old. I'm sharing this context to provide a clearer understanding before labeling someone you don't know as lazy.

Nevertheless, I respectfully disagree with your comment, but let's agree to disagree.

P.S. Despite the fact that English is not my native language, if I were talking to another father about his child, I wouldn't use the word "nude." I would likely choose "naked" instead - if I really had to choose a word. However, it seems that some people here view me as aggressive, lazy, and lacking in critical thinking.

 

[dialogos]

I am posting here to highlight a problem: when my wife sends me photos of our baby, we receive a sensitive content warning. I believe Apple has implemented this system poorly. In response, some people have commented that "Family Members and Friends are the Most Common Perpetrators." (message #29) Additionally, I've received numerous other comments labeling me as lazy, arrogant, stubborn, and aggressive. There have also been inappropriate remarks about nudity in a baby photo ( I would choose to call a baby naked...), pedo etc..

I am choosing to leave this dialogue now. Thank you, everyone.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I am posting here to highlight a problem: when my wife sends me photos of our baby, we receive a sensitive content warning. I believe Apple has implemented this system poorly.

To that I will repeat an earlier post.

Product Feedback

We would love to hear your comments about any of our hardware and software products. Send us your thoughts.

www.apple.com

I appreciate your input, but I feel your comments suggest I lack critical thinking and indirectly imply that I'm lazy.

No. Actually, it was regarding:

and it's challenging to give instructions to an 89-year-old.

Common though far from limited to the “boomer” generation, the challenge often incurred by teaching the elderly or many other claimed non-tech savvy individuals is due to their own stubbornness and laziness. This is based on hundreds, probably thousands of direct interactions and observations. Plus, I’m not the only one to notice. Nonetheless, one of my own similar examples, my brother and I have demonstrated slowly, step-by-step how to navigate Photos, Messages, and Phone to my elderly parents dozens of times. They can perform and understand — and even have said things such as “Oh! That’s it!” as in it’s simple — the actions without issue. However, the attitudes of “I don’t know how to do this” and “There’s something wrong with my phone” re-emerge. And, no, there isn’t anything wrong with the phone as I can demo the process without issue yet again. In other words, I can guarantee it’s not a simple forgetfulness. The problem is a refusal to even attempt to look at or put basic thought into these simple elements. Heck… I’ll give you one more related to this behavior. I currently work in retail, and I can’t even begin to guess the vast count of how many times customers have… Um… Overlooked blatant, basic contextual words on signage (e.g., “This is suppose to be half off!” … “No. It’s ‘Buy 1, get 1 50% off’ ”). I can go on and on… But anyway...

Now, your parents may have an actual elderly related mental disability. Nonetheless, that’s not Apple’s fault and only so much their problem. That’s not meant to be insensitive; again, it’s a fact.

Additionally, defining what nudity is feels condescending.

🤔 I guess, it’s not unreasonable to interpret it that way. Although, I don’t mean my comments to cause such feelings. Rather, admittedly, this common parental attitude feels like a double standard. That is, you’d probably be uncomfortable with a stranger ogling and excited about seeing a photo of your nude child but you’re okay to think it’s beautiful.

A summarized anecdote: I have photos, a backup of one of my brother’s previous iPhones, that I considered printing off for my mother, because she has created “baby books” for the grandkids, and I wanted to tidy up (e.g., delete) some archived files. In a quick review, I noticed some of those photos were of my niece (as a toddler) playing in an inflatable pool. Innocent but obvious she’s not wearing a swim/bathing suit (i.e., nude). Sure, I could explain the intent and relationship to the photo developing place, nothing glaringly inappropriate. However, should someone else inarguably accept that as proper? (At my employment, we are required to flag such photos and set them aside for management to review.)

Ultimately, yes, this boils down to the difficulties of weighing the arguments of the p word.

I am choosing to leave this dialogue now. Thank you, everyone.

Okay.

 

[ghostface147]

You just want an exclusion list. A place where you can say exclude these people from the sensitive content warning feature. It’s up to Apple to dictate if that happens, but until then too bad so sad.

 

[Pierre535]

Aw jeeez, give it a rest already!

 

[ManuCH]

I think there are only 2 ways forward here for OP:

• Log a feedback with Apple to suggest a feature request so they build an exclusion list for sensitive content warnings, or
• think twice about whether they really want sensitive content warnings to be enabled altogether, as a workaround waiting for said exclusion list to be implemented.

There is no 3rd option. And it's nobody's fault in here. Apple simply chose not to implement that feature yet.

What I wonder is why OP would like to have sensitive content warnings enabled in the first place. I have never ever received an unsolicited inappropriate picture on iMessage. What's the use case behind leaving this feature enabled for adults? Is the spam of nudes on iMessage an issue in some countries?

 

[d123]

Yes, I edited my post because I was upset with you calling my baby photos "nude."

Aggressive attitude? I was simply upset that someone generalized a baby photo as a nude photo.

So, just to clarify, these photos were of a fully clothed child or of a child without clothes on?

 

[Populus]

I was looking for this thread to share some information, and you don’t want to know what keyword I used on the forum search to find it

Now, OP, Yesterday I just set up my iPad Pro as a new device (DFU mode then factory restore with iPadOS 17.5.1 using my Mac), and I just saw this:

Then, I remembered this thread and you, so I wanted to share that, as long as it is not setup as a child device (something the OS asks you during the first setup), the feature is deactivated by default, at least on iPadOS 17.5.1

When an older person, like a grandparent, buys a new iOS device, the sensitive content warning is turned on by default. So, when they receive a large warning for a photo, you can see the problem here, right? These are people who have been advised countless times to be cautious about online scams.

You said you prefer to have it turned on, yes, cool, we don’t have a fix for your problem, but you also mentioned the case of your fathers, or your fathers in-law? Who they had their new iPhones set up with this feature on by default… well, maybe this was the case with earlier versions of iOS 17, I don’t know, but currently it is a feature that you have to enable on purpose after setting up a new phone, if you’re an adult of course.