[alibert]

Is there any other way? The way I see it, the scanning is coming either fully server side or with a bit more privacy with the proposed client side system so is there something better?

Others providers do it and I don't expect Apple to sit and do nothing about it (governments, ngo pressure, etc.). Something worse is that the Apple brand could be labeled as a "CP enabler" which would very much hurt Apple way more than the current backslash.

[ByteWelder]

Yes: E2EE and not having the ability to scan is a legit alternative. Apple has lost its credibility as a privacy-enabler. That's a real consequence, as opposed to a potential consequence of being targeted by propaganda.