Question of trust --- I think the question is one of trust. How do we trust that Apple or indeed the government will only use this technology for the limited purpose of identifying CSAM? If the past year is any indication, the trend seems to be the opposite, with states increasing surveillance measures in the guise of the pandemic and contact tracing apps being used well beyond their intended purposes in many countries - India, Singapore, Philippines are a few examples. The only way to guarantee that limits are set is with clear, unambiguous legislation and robust monitoring systems, which are unavailable in most countries.

And on the flip side, it also raises the issue of proportionality re the technology itself. Is it a proportionate response to the problem created by a few to surveil everyone with impunity?

Source author: Pavitra Ramanujam pavitra.ramanujam@gmail.com