Kansas AG Demands Apple Implement CSAM Safeguards

AG: Kansas News Releases

Filed March 20th, 2026

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has demanded that Apple Inc. implement safeguards on iCloud to prevent the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The AG has given Apple until April 17, 2026, to respond with a plan to ensure user safety and prevent CSAM distribution.

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What changed

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has issued a demand to Apple Inc. regarding its alleged failure to safeguard iCloud against the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The AG's office sent a letter to Apple on March 20, 2026, stating that the company has prioritized profits over child protection and has not adequately addressed CSAM on iCloud, citing the abandonment of a CSAM detection tool. The letter demands Apple demonstrate how it will ensure user safety, prevent CSAM distribution, and protect privacy.

Apple is required to respond by April 17, 2026, with a plan outlining its proposed safeguards. Failure to implement adequate measures could result in Kansas enforcing its laws against the company. This action signals a potential regulatory push for tech companies to enhance child safety measures on their platforms, with potential legal and reputational consequences for non-compliance.

What to do next

Respond to Kansas AG by April 17, 2026, detailing CSAM safeguards for iCloud.
Develop and implement alternative methods for CSAM detection on iCloud.
Review and update existing opt-in protection features for more robust CSAM identification.

Penalties

Kansas is prepared to enforce its laws against companies that prioritize profits and speed over safeguards for children, parents, and consumers.

Source document (simplified)

Kobach Confronts Apple: Commit to Protecting Kids

Post Date: 03/20/2026 1:26 PM

PRESS RELEASE

Kobach Confronts Apple: Commit to Protecting Kids

TOPEKA – (March 20, 2026) – Attorney General Kris Kobach is demanding immediate action from Apple, Inc. for the company’s failure to safeguard iCloud against the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

In a letter sent to Apple, Attorney General Kobach put the tech company on notice: implement safeguards or Kansas is prepared to enforce our laws against companies that prioritize profits and speed over safeguards for children, parents, and consumers.

“We’re seeing time and time again where tech companies prioritize profits over the protection of children,” Kobach said. “Apple has known for years that iCloud is a leader in the industry for the distribution of CSAM and has done nothing about it. That was a conscious decision to prioritize profit over protection. My team and I are watching, and we are demanding more of Apple than vague assurances.”

The Attorney General’s letter to Apple’s development team cites its subsequent abandonment of a CSAM detection tool due to it being viewed as controversial. Apple has not made any effort to develop an alternative product or method for CSAM detection on iCloud. The letter details how Apple’s focus on opt-in protection features fail to adequately protect people and identify CSAM on iCloud.

The Attorney General’s letter demands Apple respond by April 17, 2026, and demonstrate how the company can ensure user safety, prevent CSAM distribution, and protect privacy.

Read Kobach’s letter here.

Return to full list >> News releases issued prior to 2023 are available through an archive hosted by the Kansas State Library.