How Apple's CSAM Scanning Technology Could Impact the CSAM Situation and Privacy Rights in Aotearoa: August 10, 2021

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston investigates Apple's new technology that will scan their US consumer’s devices for known child sex abuse images (CSAM). The technology has recieved mixed reactions with some concerned that it breaches privacy rights and others pleased that it supports the fight to eliminate CSAM online. Jemima was interested to explore how Apple's technology might impact the response to CSAM in Aotearoa and how it would work under privacy law if it was to be rolled here.

Jemima speaks to Manager of the Child Exploitation Team for the New Zealand Police Detective Senior Sergeant Alex Carter, Chief Censor David Shanks and Privacy Commissioner John Edwards to better understand the CSAM situation in New Zeland. The experts explain how Apple’s technology could affect New Zealand’s response to CSAM and whether Apple’s technology would breach New Zealand privacy laws. These discussions also touch on the important question, do people who store CSAM on their personal devices have a right to privacy?

Unsurprisingly, Jemima discovers that there is no right to privacy in this situation. In Aotearoa, privacy does not go so far as to protect those participating in illegal child sexual exploitation. 

Disclaimers: This piece covers child sex abuse material. The interviews conducted do not describe the content of CSAM, rather the way the laws prohibiting it are enforced and how technology is used to find it online. However, if a topic like this makes you uncomfortable, it is advised that you do not listen to this podcast. 

As of 10 August 2021, Apple's CSAM scanning technology is only set to be rolled out in the United States. The discussions in this piece about how the technology may impact Aotearoa are all hypothetical.