Apple Family Sharing Faces Abuse Risks in Custody Disputes

Apple's Family Sharing feature, launched in 2014 to help families share apps, media, and manage parental controls, has revealed significant flaws in custody disputes, as it assigns one adult as the sole organizer with full control over the family's digital assets. This design creates a power imbalance when relationships end, as the organizer can control Screen Time limits, location sharing, and access to apps, often weaponizing these controls against the other parent even if that parent has court-ordered custody. Support staff cannot override the organizer's authority, leaving custodial parents and children trapped unless the organizer consents to changes, which can cause emotional distress and disrupt children's digital lives. Experts warn this issue reflects a broader problem where technology assumes traditional family structures and lacks mechanisms to address digital custody rights, prompting calls for reform and more equitable solutions. The forced continuity of digital identity through Apple IDs complicates matters further, as starting anew erases years of purchased content and memories. This situation highlights the urgent need for tech companies to revise family sharing policies to protect vulnerable users in fractured families.