Apple to Delay on device iPhone scanning

Joanna Stern:

Apple Inc. said it plans to delay and make improvements to new iPhone software that aimed to identify and report collections of sexually exploitative images of children, a move that comes amid backlash from critics concerned about the erosion of privacy with their devices.

Apple said last month that it would introduce the software later this year through an iPhone update for U.S. users. It defended the software for many weeks. But in a brief statement Friday the company said it “decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.”