Apple says items shared using “Anyone with the Link” in iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS 27.3 or later will be accessible to the company for a harmful-content check, according to its Support document. The policy applies to items shared through that public-link setting.
Which iCloud shares are covered?
The setting lets anyone with the link access the shared item. MacRumors reports that the policy covers images shared from iCloud Photos and files shared from iCloud Drive using that option. Its account distinguishes public links from sharing with selected people or sending a copy of a file.
Apple’s statement describes the check as being for “harmful content.” It does not name a narrower category.
What reports say about encryption
The Verge and MacRumors report that items shared through public links will no longer have end-to-end encryption. MacRumors adds that this applies even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. That reported change concerns public-link shares, not every item stored in iCloud.
What actions could Apple take?
MacRumors reports that Apple’s terms reserve the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete content it considers harmful. The same account says Apple may restrict an Apple Account or, if necessary, involve law enforcement.
