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Apple to check public iCloud links for harmful content in 27.3
Apple said starting with iOS 27.3 and related updates, iCloud items shared as “Anyone with the Link” will be checked for harmful content, The Verge and Techmeme reported.
- Techmeme is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Apple will check shared iCloud links for ‘harmful content’”
- Our desk filed its story
Apple said it will start checking iCloud items shared so that anyone with the link can open them for “harmful content,” beginning with version 27.3 of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS1,2.
The change is described in an Apple support document dated Nov. 3, 2026, which The Verge and a Techmeme item pointing to 9to5Mac both cited1,2.
Apple wrote that when a user shares an iCloud item as “Anyone with the Link” in 27.3 or later, “that content is made accessible to Apple to check for harmful content,” The Verge reported1.
The support page says that to make that public sharing work, the item is no longer end-to-end encrypted, even if Advanced Data Protection is on1.
The Verge said Apple’s document does not define what “harmful content” is1.
If content is flagged, Apple said it reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete it, and may block or disable an Apple Account, bar a new account using the same email or phone number, or involve law enforcement if it judges that necessary1,2.
What remains unknown is how Apple will classify harmful content, how the check will run, and whether it applies only to new public links or also to existing ones1.
Sources
How it’s being reported
2 sourcesFirst reported by 
The Verge
The VergeFirstApple will check shared iCloud links for ‘harmful content’
The scan starts with iOS 27.3 and that public-link shares are no longer end-to-end encrypted.
Jay Peters reports Apple will scan iCloud items shared with anyone who has the link beginning with 27.3 system updates.
Apple says it will check iCloud items shared to "Anyone with the link" for "harmful content" in 27.3 OS versions, and may delete the content or disable accounts (Ryan Christoffel/9to5Mac)
The 9to5Mac report that Apple may delete flagged content or disable accounts.
Points to Ryan Christoffel at 9to5Mac on Apple’s support document for public iCloud links.
Leaves out The Verge’s note that Apple has not defined harmful content and the CSAM protest context.
Where they agree
- Apple will check Anyone-with-the-Link iCloud shares starting in 27.3.
- Apple may remove flagged content and disable accounts.