Following allegations of “unlawful and intentional recording” of Siri interactions, Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement. Nevertheless, the company has released a statement reiterating its commitment to user privacy and providing clarification on Siri’s functionality.
Apple reinforces dedication to Siri privacy
In a post on its press website, Apple affirms its “commitment to safeguarding user data” and emphasizes that its products are “designed from the ground up” with privacy features. Apple has stated that it does not use Siri data for creating marketing profiles and has never shared such data with advertisers.
The company notes that Siri utilizes on-device processing where feasible, allowing requests to be processed offline without sending them to Apple’s servers. “For instance, when a user requests Siri to read unread messages, or when Siri offers suggestions via widgets and search, this processing occurs directly on the user’s device,” Apple explains.
According to Apple, recordings of user requests are not transmitted to Apple unless the user opts in to share them to provide feedback.
While Siri occasionally needs to interact with Apple’s servers, the company asserts that these requests are made anonymously using a “random identifier” that is not linked to the user’s Apple Account. This method ensures that the data remains untraceable, preserving user confidentiality. Audio recordings are eradicated unless users explicitly choose to share them with Apple.
Additionally, the article mentions that comparable privacy protocols are applied to Apple Intelligence, which manages most data processing on-device. “For Apple Intelligence requests that necessitate access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute enhances the privacy and security of iPhones by extending these protections into the cloud for advanced intelligence,” the company elaborates.
Lawsuit regarding data gathered via Siri
The lawsuit, initiated in 2019, claimed that Apple recorded user conversations with Siri without obtaining consent, sharing these interactions with third-party companies that resulted in targeted advertisements. This controversy revolves around the “Hey Siri” command, which necessitates that the device continuously listen with its microphone activated.
Despite Apple reinforcing its privacy pledge and stating that numerous updates have been implemented over the years to make Siri more secure and private, the company has opted to pay to resolve the lawsuit. Details on how to claim a portion of the settlement have not yet been disclosed.
Further information on Apple’s privacy policies can be accessed on the company’s official website.
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