Apple auto-opts everyone into having their photos analyzed by AI for landmarks
Jan 03, 2025 - theregister.com
Apple has introduced a feature called Enhanced Visual Search in its Photos application on iOS and macOS devices, which identifies landmarks and places of interest in images using a local machine-learning model. This feature, enabled by default without explicit user consent, uses homomorphic encryption to protect privacy by allowing encrypted data to be analyzed remotely without decryption. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency and user control, as the feature uploads metadata even if users opt out of iCloud photo uploads. Critics argue that while Apple claims the data is encrypted and disassociated from user accounts, the unilateral deployment and lack of communication undermine user trust.
Software developers Jeff Johnson and Michael Tsai have expressed concerns about the privacy implications and the inability to opt out effectively. They highlight that the feature applies to all photos, not just those stored in iCloud, and uploads metadata without user consent. The community's frustration stems from Apple's lack of communication and the automatic enabling of the service, which some see as a breach of privacy ideals. Despite Apple's assurances of privacy through encryption and differential privacy, the controversy centers on the manner of deployment rather than the technical implementation.
Key takeaways:
Apple deployed Enhanced Visual Search in its Photos app without explicit user consent, raising privacy concerns.
The feature uses homomorphic encryption to analyze images for landmarks without revealing photo contents to Apple.
Critics argue that the feature is not opt-in and may upload metadata before users can disable it.
Community discontent stems from Apple's lack of communication and transparency regarding the feature's deployment.
