I’ve sent more iCloud links than I can count. Still, I never once wondered who else might be looking at what sat behind them. Well, it looks like Apple has started wondering for all of us.
In a new support document, Apple confirms that iOS 27.3 will begin checking content shared through public “Anyone with the link” iCloud links for harmful material (via Apple). While the developer beta is already available, the stable build is expected in December 2026.
Apple
What exactly will Apple check?
When you share a photo through iCloud Photos or a file through iCloud Drive, Apple offers two options: “People you choose,” which limits access to invited people, and “Anyone with the link,” which lets anyone with the URL view the content.
Only public links will be checked. The same change applies to iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS 27.3. Since public links were always accessible to anyone, “including Apple,” I see this as Apple finally enforcing a door it always had a key to.
Here’s the catch: Apple doesn’t define “harmful content.” It doesn’t explain how the checks work either. Its mention of law enforcement hints at malware or child sexual abuse material (CSAM), but that’s my inference.
Apple
What happens if Apple flags something?
If content is flagged, Apple “reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete” it at any time. It may also block or disable your Apple Account and contact law enforcement “if necessary.”
There’s a privacy trade-off, too. Content shared through public links isn’t end-to-end encrypted, even with Advanced Data Protection enabled. The logic, however, is simple: Apple can’t inspect what it can’t access.
In my experience, most public links carry holiday videos, not contraband, so most of us won’t notice. Still, I’d stick to “People you choose” or “Send a Copy” when sharing anything private.