Deleted images haunt iPhone users in Photos for iOS 17.5

When they say data can be destroyed but never deleted they really meant that

Privacy and data retention at odds with Apple's stated Privacy Policy? I thought I recalled 6 months being the maximum time Apple says they keep deleted accounts and content. But I'm old, and my memory is not as good as it once was.

In any event, four years later is well beyond expectations. 

gatorguy said:

Privacy and data retention at odds with Apple's stated Privacy Policy? I thought I recalled 6 months being the maximum time Apple says they keep deleted accounts and content. But I'm old, and my memory is not as good as it once was.

In any event, four years later is well beyond expectations. 

To my way of seeing the logic, there isn't any increased risk in this. It's not as if someone can rummage through the deleted data I assume. Why wouldn't the deleted data be secure if the undeleted data is safe? I assume only the account owners are seeing the deleted images returned. Now, is it a PITA? Yep.  That all said, it is better this than images not deleted disappearing :)

MacPro said:

gatorguy said:

Privacy and data retention at odds with Apple's stated Privacy Policy? I thought I recalled 6 months being the maximum time Apple says they keep deleted accounts and content. But I'm old, and my memory is not as good as it once was.

In any event, four years later is well beyond expectations. 

To my way of seeing the logic, there isn't any increased risk in this. It's not as if someone can rummage through the deleted data I assume. Why wouldn't the deleted data be secure if the undeleted data is safe? I assume only the account owners are seeing the deleted images returned. Now, is it a PITA? Yep.  That all said, it is better this than images not deleted disappearing :)

A valid assumption would be that Apple has some use for those photos after the owner no longer does and thus ordered their deletion. Perhaps for AI training purposes as they would no longer have been considered "user data" after their deletion?

On a more personal level, had the owner of the NSFW images been with a new partner when these years old trashed photos were resurfaced this week, I could see it being an issue in the relationship.  At best it's a very bad look for Apple, one that seems counter to stated policies. 

gatorguy said:

MacPro said:

gatorguy said:

Privacy and data retention at odds with Apple's stated Privacy Policy? I thought I recalled 6 months being the maximum time Apple says they keep deleted accounts and content. But I'm old, and my memory is not as good as it once was.

In any event, four years later is well beyond expectations. 

To my way of seeing the logic, there isn't any increased risk in this. It's not as if someone can rummage through the deleted data I assume. Why wouldn't the deleted data be secure if the undeleted data is safe? I assume only the account owners are seeing the deleted images returned. Now, is it a PITA? Yep.  That all said, it is better this than images not deleted disappearing :)

A valid assumption would be that Apple has some use for those photos after the owner no longer does and thus ordered their deletion. Perhaps for AI training purposes as they would no longer have been considered "user data" after their deletion?

On a more personal level, had the owner of the NSFW images been with a new partner when these years old trashed photos were resurfaced this week, I could see it being an issue in the relationship.  At best it's a very bad look for Apple, one that seems counter to stated policies. 

The first paragraph is a leap; this isn't Google we are talking about ;) But I concur with the second.  OMG I better go and check!!!  Seriously though, I wonder if they appear in the trash, in which case a password is required, or perhaps these have to do with a local storage bug for those who, like me, retain all originals locally and on the cloud.