Apple Researching Ways to Use iPhone Camera to Detect Childhood Autism

[MacRumors]

Apple is reportedly researching ways to use the cameras inside of the iPhone to detect childhood autism, aiming to use data from the camera to observe a child's behavior that could be used for early diagnosis, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

According to the report, which echoes previously announced research efforts, Apple wants to be able to use the camera inside of the iPhone to track a child's face and observe different facial behaviors, such as how often they look away, as potential factors for detecting childhood autism. From the report:

Apple has a third brain-related research partnership with Duke University that it hasn't disclosed. It aims to create an algorithm to help detect childhood autism, according to the documents and people familiar with the work. The research looks at using the iPhone's camera to observe how young children focus, how often they sway back and forth, and other measures, according to the documents.

Biogen, an American biotechnology company, had previously announced it was partnering with Apple to study ways to use the iPhone and Apple Watch to notice a cognitive decline in users or potential signs of depression.

Including that and Apple's early work in childhood autism detection, the Journal says that these features may never become a user-end feature, but notes that Apple had invested in multiple heart-focused studies before releasing a host of related features on the Apple Watch.

The report notes that as part of Apple's privacy push, the company would ultimately aim to run any algorithms, including those for early detection of childhood autism, locally on a user's device, without needing to send any data collected to the cloud for processing. The report adds that research is still in the early stages, but Apple executives are enthusiastic about its potential.

Article Link: Apple Researching Ways to Use iPhone Camera to Detect Childhood Autism

 

[cloudphrenia]

I think this is worst than CSAM…

 

[MecPro]

It’s like Apple forget the middle part of technology - the near future and just go straight to some random far-out subject.

 

[Kram Sacul]

You Got Autism

 

[MrCrowbar]

"We believe that you, your child, or anyone that held your phone for a bit have undiagnosed. We're adjusting your Apple Pay credit limit, Siri search results and iAd accordingly to help you with the added expenses associated with autism and also help you find the right medication through iAd."

 

[davidako]

Anyone else instantly think this is really about an engagement metric for Apple’s advertising department? As with CSAM, be afraid when Apple, or any company, say they’re bringing an invasive new feature to think of the children.

 

[timber]

They could research a way to get the iPhone camera out of the front screen.

 

[lxmeta]

In digital signage this is called audience measurement.
I think someone at Apple (at the top) need to clarify where they are going.
CSAM, now checking the eye movement of my kids ... Yeah sure, all only for the well being of the society, no strings attached. Right!
Thanks, Apple, I don't need you to check on my kids if they have ASD!

 

[sniffies]

CSAM 2.0

Tim: “We think you’re gonna love it.”

 

[lxmeta]

CSAM 2.0

Tim: “We think you’re gonna love it.”

CSAM 3.0: We did not like how you looked at that girl...

 

[mariusignorello]

There are some things you shouldn’t do, no matter how noble or innocent your intentions are, because from the outside it looks just plain weird or suspicious. Street smarts are a real thing and I think Apple’s social justice and other crusades blind them from common sense and reading the room.

It’s not always about being brave and thinking different, especially when your ideas just don’t sit well with people, and I don’t mean stubborn haters.

But hey, what do I know?

 

[Psychicbob]

next step: Your iPhone has detected you are having thoughts that are not compatible with the Apple Corp ethos. Your iPhone is shutting down now.

 

[dapa0s]

1 new notification from Apple:

„Your child is autistic“

 

[1284814]

Why are tech corpos getting so invasive? And they are all using the think of the children Sheild

 

[Sf844]

This obsession over scanning and classifying people is really cringeworthy.

I'm sure their parents will figure out whether they're autistic Apple, ffs.

Stop scanning what we do or how we act!!

 

[jennyp]

Why do I feel creeped out by this?

What if the device thought you just looked "deviant" ?

 

[TechLord]

Yikes. No thanks.

 

[urbZZ]

It seems like Apple did a "worst possible idea" workshop a year ago, but someone forgot to invert the ideas ...
First CSAM now this? WTF Apple, just leave users devices alone, will ya??

 

[scgf]

No, Apple. I bought a smartphone. I don't want any invasive technologies unleashed on me or my family.

 

[nitramluap]

If machine learning can be used to process & identify information *on device* and do so in a way that nobody other than the device owner can access it, and it's only for approved research (which you'd have to opt into) what’s the problem? Grow up people. 🙄

 

[Morgenland]

In the past, children in almost all cultures had parents who discovered that

 

[citysnaps]

In digital signage this is called audience measurement.
I think someone at Apple (at the top) need to clarify where they are going.
CSAM, now checking the eye movement of my kids ... Yeah sure, all only for the well being of the society, no strings attached. Right!
Thanks, Apple, I don't need you to check on my kids if they have ASD!

Assuming Apple decides to go beyond the research they're apparently conducting, if that should come to fruition as an option for iPad use in years to come, wouldn't you simply choose NOT TO PARTICIPATE?

Why all the drama?

 

[citysnaps]

No, Apple. I bought a smartphone. I don't want any invasive technologies unleashed on me or my family.

See my post directly above.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Just don’t think in that way. — Apple, probably

 

[Sf844]

Assuming Apple decides to go beyond the research they're apparently conducting, if that should come to fruition as an option for iPad use in years to come, wouldn't you simply choose NOT TO PARTICIPATE?

Why all the drama?

Because big bosses at Apple sit there and brainstorm stuff like scanning your library and running AI on your face id map to figure out whether you have autism (supposedly).

Don't they have better things to do? This is what Apple considers relevant these days