The feature wasn't introduced because of public backlash. It had problems and could be tricked, which at the very least should make you stop accepting everything Apple says about security and privacy at face value. On top of this, while "conceived to prevent the abuse of children", it could be easily used to target someone such as yourself for sharing a meme making fun about the president of your country (or something like that[0])... there's also the fact Apple has bent backwards just to be present in some markets (eg: China and Apple banning VPNs[1]). It doesn't take much to understand why these comments pop up on posts about images + Apple's security/privacy.

Since we're calling people out, allow me to call you out:

Wanting your devices to be private and secure or asking questions about Apple after their f-up doesn't make you a pedo or a pedo sympathiser. Comments that suggest otherwise can also be a bit "sus" (to use your expression), especially in a place like HN where users are expected to know a thing or two about tech and should be aware that the "think of the children" excuse - while good - is sometimes used to introduce technology that is then misused (eg: the internet firewall in the UK that was supposed to protect the children and now blocks sexual education stuff, torrents, etc).

I'll assume your intentions are good, but it isn't right to assume or imply that people complaining about this stuff are pedos.

[0] https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/if-you-build-it-they-w...

[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/apple-says-it-is-...