> The scanner technology can also be used for detecting dissident journalism, but they say it won't be, it is just for preventing terrorism
This has always been possible with server side scanning. Yeah we have to trust Apple to not enable it for users who don’t use iCloud photos but we’ve always had to trust Apple given their closed source system.
Do any of the other companies control the database of hashes they use? A government could have already done what you’re suggesting but I can’t find a source where this has been the case.
iMessage photos do not automatically add photos to your photo library. Yes they’re synced between devices but afaik Apple isn’t deploying this hashing technology on iMessages between devices. Only for iCloud photos in the photo library.
The only reason PlayStation and Xbox aren’t general computing platforms is by choice. They are still computers with CPUS, hard drives and RAM. Users can watch Netflix, browse the web and consume content just like you would on an iPhone. I think this idea that because iPhones are “general computing devices” they should be held to a different standard is absurd. You can’t pick and choose how one platform operates while ignoring how other platforms have the same arbitrary restrictions.
So because they aren’t a general computing device it’s okay? Also isn’t it bit disingenuous to suggest that side loading is an option to avoid the fee? I believe that’s why Epic also sued Google. Even when end users are given the option to download from an alternative store, most people won’t because it’s still not as convenient as downloading from the play store. Your app would have to be worthwhile enough to convince users to download from a 3rd party store.