When it comes to Apple and privacy, it's important to differentiate two different types of privacy: (1) privacy against snooping by the state, and (2) privacy against snooping by all others. As we had seen with Apple and China, it's only the second type of privacy that Apple cares about. Sharing your information with the state is not out of character for Apple. In fact, had they done the opposite, it would have been out of character.
I don’t know, and I’m certainly troubled by the story.
There is a federal law requiring electronic service providers to notify if they spot such material. Apple may be subject to that. See the “Federal CSAM Law” section here:
I assume 18 USC 2258A, but they seem to be going above and beyond. Under current law, they are only required to report, they are not required to prevent[1].
Presumably, they are doing this voluntarily now to stave off future legislation around this that might require more invasive scanning.
