Apple “decided to not proceed with the proposal for a hybrid client-server approach to CSAM detection for iCloud Photos from a few years ago,” and “concluded it was not practically possible to implement without ultimately imperiling the security and privacy of our users.”
This is the confirmation that it’s simply not possible to scan everyone’s communication and still preserve their privacy. There are new ways needed, and Apple is on it: e.g. on-device tools and APIs that can also be used by 3rd party tools such as Discord.
Apple’s Decision to Kill Its CSAM Photo-Scanning Tool Sparks Fresh Controversy