[naravara]

> Higgins correctly highlights the immense pressure Apple will get from governments and other actors to bend the technology and use it for something else than csam. It will happen, people are probably already thinking how to apply such pressure. Sooner or later Apple will cave in and they will have only themselves to blame when freedom supports in Sudan or LGBTQ activists in Saudi Arabia will be jailed.

I'm having trouble seeing how Apple's actions make this any more or less likely. It's not like matching photos is some esoteric concept that no repressive government has ever thought of before. It's not even like it's particularly hard. Apple's implementation is the most privacy sensitive way of doing it, but if the rules were going to come down they were going to come down, and they'd be implemented in less privacy sensitive ways.

[simondotau]

Apple can also choose to exit that country. There aren't many countries which Apple would even consider risking its global reputation in order to retain that market. US, China, Europe, maybe the UK. That's about it.

If Saudi Arabia or Sudan tried to turn the screws, the business case for Apple is absolutely clear-cut: they leave. This isn't even up for debate. There's far too much at risk globally than there is to gain domestically from compliance.

Not only do they avoid serious damage to their global reputation (something they'll be extremely sensitive to, as the last two weeks have taught them) it would represent a massive opportunity for Apple to earn weeks of free media coverage that aligns with their security narrative.

[robertoandred]

If Sudan or Saudi Arabia wants to arrest people, there are much easier ways. What “freedom” or “LGBTQ” photos would you even search for?