Apple faces backlash over automatic photo analysis feature in iOS and macOS

Apple's new feature, Enhanced Visual Search, automatically analyzes photos to identify landmarks. This feature was included in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, but users were not given an option to opt out, leading to privacy concerns. While Apple claims the process is end-to-end encrypted, many users are unhappy that their photos were sent to Apple servers without consent. Critics argue this contradicts Apple's privacy-focused image and raises issues about user control over personal data. Users can disable Enhanced Visual Search in their settings, but existing data may have already been uploaded. The controversy highlights a disconnect between Apple's privacy promises and its implementation of new features.