This yr’s large iOS 26 launch accommodates some enjoyable and thrilling new options, together with a brand new Liquid Glass design, large updates for the built-in Pockets, CarPlay, and Messages apps, and extra. Nonetheless, one new characteristic has lately been found that was not introduced throughout Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) keynote: If one of many individuals of a FaceTime name begins disrobing, the app will freeze your name’s audio and video.
This “characteristic,” apparently designed to guard minors on FaceTime calls, not solely applies to calls that embrace minors, however can be enabled on calls between two consenting adults!
Apple briefly talked about a set of latest household instruments for little one accounts throughout the keynote, however the particulars, together with FaceTime’s nudity detection, have been solely shared in its press launch after the occasion:
Communication Security expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photographs.
As shared by iDeviceHelp on X, it seems that the present iOS 26 beta “intervenes” by freezing all FaceTime calls when nudity is detected, even when it’s simply you and your of-legal-age boo on the decision.
When the app detects nudity, it can present a warning message much like the next:
“Audio and video are paused as a result of chances are you’ll be displaying one thing delicate. If you happen to really feel uncomfortable, it’s best to finish the decision.”
The message above will seem if the nudity is detected in your finish; in any other case, you’ll see a message that lists the opposite particular person’s title.
To be honest, the consumer gained’t be blocked from persevering with; they’re given the choice to Resume Audio and Video or Finish Name. This warning is barely proven the primary time that nudity is detected; if the consumer chooses to proceed the decision, they’ll obtain no additional warnings.
We’ve completed some additional investigation, this characteristic seems to be tied to the brand new Delicate Content material Warning setting that Apple added in iOS 17, making it straightforward for consenting adults to change off in the event that they’d fairly not be bothered throughout their particular moments.
This selection could be present in Settings > Privateness & Safety. When enabled in iOS 18, it makes use of on-device machine studying to detect any images and movies that include nudity and wind up in your iPhone, whether or not these are available in through AirDrop, Contact Posters, Messages, or FaceTime Video Messages. Any detected nudity is robotically blurred out so you may select whether or not you wish to see them or not.
The brand new characteristic described on this article seems to be taking this safety a step additional. Nonetheless, customers can nonetheless toggle it off by disabling Delicate Content material Warnings completely or individually switching off FaceTime — a brand new setting in iOS 26 that replaces “Video Messages” from iOS 17 and iOS 18.
Observe that Delicate Content material Warnings are separate from Communication Security. The latter is a parental management characteristic that may be enforced individually for youths’ gadgets beneath the Display Time part of the Settings app, the place they gained’t be capable of flip it off with out parental permission.
Customers involved about privateness points with Apple’s detecting nudity needn’t fear, as no knowledge is distributed to Apple when figuring out if a picture is displaying nudity.
Apple’s current Communication Security options work as follows:
Communication Security makes use of on-device machine studying to research picture and video attachments and decide if a photograph or video seems to include nudity. As a result of the images and movies are analyzed in your little one’s machine, Apple doesn’t obtain a sign that nudity was detected and doesn’t get entry to the images or movies consequently.
Because of this all the course of takes place on-device, so Apple receives no knowledge (together with photos) concerning the contents of your name. Within the case of this new iOS 26 characteristic, it additionally signifies that customers gained’t be notified of potential nudity in the event that they’re utilizing FaceTime on an older model of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or via an internet browser.
There may be additionally no reporting that happens, even for kids who’re a part of a household group. Apple initially deliberate to inform mother and father when children beneath 13 intentionally selected to view express content material after being warned, however rethought that coverage earlier than releasing the characteristic in iOS 15.2 after little one security advocates expressed professional considerations that such notifications may put younger youngsters in danger by triggering a doubtlessly abusive guardian.
As famous above, iOS 26 remains to be in early developer beta testing, that means the options of the working system can and can change earlier than the ultimate model of the software program is prepared for launch to the general public later this yr.
Apple has been working for a number of years to guard minors from on-line abuse.