At Apple, our goal is to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives — while helping them stay safe.
iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3, and macOS 12.1 include features designed to help keep children safe.*
The Messages app includes tools to warn children when receiving or sending photos that contain nudity. These features are not enabled by default. If parents opt in, these warnings will be turned on for the child accounts in their Family Sharing plan.
When receiving this type of content, the photo will be blurred and the child will be warned, presented with helpful resources, and reassured it is okay if they do not want to view this photo. Similar protections are available if a child attempts to send photos that contain nudity. In both cases, children are given the option to message someone they trust for help if they choose.
Messages analyzes image attachments and determines if a photo contains nudity, while maintaining the end-to-end encryption of the messages. The feature is designed so that no indication of the detection of nudity ever leaves the device. Apple does not get access to the messages, and no notifications are sent to the parent or anyone else.
This feature is included starting in iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, and macOS 12.1. It requires accounts set up as families in iCloud.*
Apple has also expanded guidance in Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search by providing additional resources to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations. For example, users who ask Siri how they can report child exploitation will be pointed to resources for where and how to file a report.
Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search have also been updated to intervene when users perform searches for queries related to child exploitation. These interventions explain to users that interest in this topic is harmful and problematic, and provide resources from partners to get help with this issue.
These updates to Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search are included starting in iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3, and macOS 12.1.*
