Apple deletes iCloud mails containing phrase 'barely legal teens'
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 26th Feb 2013 21:31 UTC
Apple Well paint me red and call me a girl scout. "In its latest push to get porn off your computer, Apple now deletes all iCloud emails that contain the phrase 'barely legal teens'. It doesn't send the messages to spam, or flag them, it just straight up deletes them, and there's nothing you can do about it." So, at least we can finally put that silly myth to rest that Apple respects users' privacy. They scan your emails, including attachments, just like everyone else.
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MOS6510
Member since:
2011-05-12

I don't think there is an Apple parental control to block porn emails.

They desktop Mail client and, probably, the server iCloud does spam checking, but blocking emails is slightly different. Spam is unwanted, but emails with a pornographic topic may be wanted.

And that's, what I think, is the tricky bit. You can't 100% block all spam, but it's even harder to block non-spam by determining using automatic systems what it is about.

If Apple says they can protect your kids and it doesn't work they come off pretty bad. People will demand they will fix it, which they can't.

If Apple says they maybe, kind of, it's great when it works, protect your kids they will come off bad and it would look silly too. Even worse!

So it's best to, like almost every email provider, to not delete/block emails that aren't obviously spam.

Reply Parent Score: 3

novad Member since:
2010-06-10

I don't think there is an Apple parental control to block porn emails.

Bad point for Apple. Filtering by subject should be an option, not enforced by a company (As long as the content is legal).

If Apple says they can protect your kids and it doesn't work they come off pretty bad. People will demand they will fix it, which they can't.

I agree with you that people expect very high standards from Apple and will probably be less tolerant to filtering issues with Apple than with others.

So it's best to, like almost every email provider, to not delete/block emails that aren't obviously spam.

I can't agree more on this one. I would even add that spam should be marked as spam and moved to an according folder, not deleted. (Or only after some time... Maybe 30 days)

The only point where I accept automatic deletion is for a detected security threat (Fishing, virus, ...)

Reply Parent Score: 2

MOS6510 Member since:
2011-05-12

Oh, YOU can filter on any subject, but you need to enter these rules yourself. There is no switch to have a bunch of Apple filters kick in to action.

Even if there were people would find out and figure out how to bypass them. If "barely legal teens" stops you you can use "blt" or "!UEGIUG!EGUWGgdud".

Reply Parent Score: 2

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