- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Apple has been under the scanner recently regarding the alleged breach of data after it was slapped with a lawsuit over “unlawful and intentional recording” of Siri interactions. Apple announced on Thursday that Siri data was never utilized to create marketing profiles or advertising campaigns, and has never been sold to third parties either. “We are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private, and will continue to do so,” Apple said.
Apple has affirmed that Siri utilizes on-device processing when possible so that it is possible to handle requests online without the need to directly send them to Apple servers. “For example, when a user asks Siri to read unread messages, or when Siri provides suggestions through widgets and Siri search, the processing is done on the user’s device,” Apple explained.
Apple has also confirmed that audio of user requests is not shared with Apple unless the user opts for it to provide any sort of feedback.
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Although in some cases, it is required that Siri communicate with Apple's servers, the company has argued that such requests are processed anonymously through a "random identifier" that is not associated with the user's Apple account. This process guarantees that the data remains untraceable and the identities behind the requests remain anonymous. Audio recordings are deleted unless users opt to share them with Apple.
Here’s how Siri ensures user data protection:
On-Device Processing: Siri handles as much information as possible directly on the user’s device. This allows for personalized experiences without sending personal data to Apple’s servers. For example, when Siri reads unread messages or offers suggestions, everything is processed locally, and the message content isn’t transmitted to Apple’s servers, as it isn’t necessary for the task. On devices with the appropriate capabilities, the Neural Engine processes audio requests entirely on the device, unless the user chooses to share data with Apple.
Minimal Data Collection: Some Siri features require input from Apple servers, but the amount of data collected is minimal. Requests made to Siri are not tied to the user’s Apple account. Instead, a random identifier is used to track data without connecting it to the user's identity, which Apple asserts is unique among digital assistants. Audio recordings are not saved unless the user explicitly opts in for improvement purposes, with the option to opt-out at any time.
Private Cloud Compute: Apple utilizes Private Cloud Compute to extend privacy protections to the cloud for processing more complex models that require additional computing power. This system ensures that the data used in these processes is neither stored nor accessible by Apple, maintaining user privacy even when cloud resources are needed.
Apple is committed to privacy protection
Apple has reiterated its commitment to user data protection, designing its products and services which includes Siri, with privacy as its core guiding principle. This approach incorporates data minimization, on-device intelligence, transparency, user control, and strong security measures to deliver secure and private experiences for users. In its statement, Apple said, "We believe privacy is a fundamental human right, and we will continue our relentless focus on designing our products and services to protect it."
