Apple is expanding one of its child safety features to four more countries with its latest software update.
Earlier today, the company released iOS 15.5 to the public. In addition to new storage management for Apple Podcasts and bringing iMessage features to Apple Cash in the Wallet app, the latest update also brings a child safety feature to four new countries.
As reported by The Apple Post, Apple’s Communication safety in Messages feature is now available to users in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The feature was previously only available to users in the United States.
Verified by The Apple Post, in the UK, iOS 15.5’s release notes show the addition of “new safety features for children and parents in Messages,” with Wayback Machine showing Apple’s webpage changing to list Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK as newly available regions after it was reported last month that Apple was planning to widen its new safety feature.
Originally released in iOS 15.2, Communication safety in Messages will warn children if they send or receive a photo that contains nudity when using the Messages app.
When receiving this type of content, the photo will be blurred and the child will be warned, presented with helpful resources, and reassured it is okay if they do not want to view this photo. Similar protections are available if a child attempts to send photos that contain nudity. In both cases, children are given the option to message someone they trust for help if they choose.
Messages analyzes image attachments and determines if a photo contains nudity, while maintaining the end-to-end encryption of the messages. The feature is designed so that no indication of the detection of nudity ever leaves the device. Apple does not get access to the messages, and no notifications are sent to the parent or anyone else.
Apple provides more information about its child safety features on its Child Safety webpage. The feature is also available for users using iPadOS 15.5 and macOS Monterey 12.4.
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