Nudes soon to be blurred in iMessages

Apple is strengthening its security, and especially that of the youngest. After the major English-speaking countries, it is up to France and Germany to have access to the new parental control. Available from September by downloading iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or macOS Ventura, it will limit the visibility of nudity photos. This feature, called “Communications Security in Messages”, allows the device to automatically identify pornographic content within iMessage, blur the content and educate the child on the choices they can make.

Pedagogical security

Each time the child under parental control receives a photo by iMessage, it will be analyzed locally, i.e. only the phone will analyze the content and no data will be sent to any Apple server. Then, if it is deemed obscene, the photo will be blurred, but several options will remain available to the child. To view the content, click on the “View photo” button. From this moment, two menus will open, a first where the child will be warned and warned of the danger of this kind of image, then a second where he will have the choice between seeing the content, reporting it to his parents. or give up.

Security that reassures parents and educates children by giving them the choice. Apple has made the decision not todenounce” automatically to parents after consultation with specialized associations, but also with a view to freedom for users, regardless of their age. Always in the same idea of ​​raising awareness, the iPhone will temporarily block any sending of this type of content. A menu will open, informing the child of the danger behind such an act. But in the end, the decision will be up to him.

If this new feature is commendable and will allow many parents to be more reassured, there are a few misses around this feature. Already, the latter will only be accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or macOS Ventura. An incomprehensible decision. Finally, only iMessages will be blocked, but all other communication channels (Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc.) will not be filtered, although it is technically possible to do so. A regrettable decision since it leaves the main concerned a way out.

At the same time, and always in a spirit of pedagogy and helping children, Apple intends to teach Siri, Spotlight and Safari to answer questions about children, more particularly about the abuses that surround them, which will improve their online safety in the face of dangerous situations.