Apple Apologizes Over Siri Privacy and Will No Longer Retain Audio Recordings
- Amazon, Google also face scrutiny for voice assistants
- Changes will come with new software updates this fall
An Apple employee speaks to Siri while demonstrating the Apple HomePod.
Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/BloombergApple Inc. apologized for privacy mishaps surrounding its Siri voice assistant and said that it would no longer retain audio recordings of Siri interactions, among other changes.
The announcement follows criticism of the iPhone maker and other technology giants for employing humans to listen to recordings of user interactions with voice assistants in a bid to improve the product. Apple had hundreds of contractors listening to Siri in a process called “grading,” but the company suspended the program a few weeks ago after some consumers raised concerns. It plans to reinstate the practice after making a few changes in software updates this fall that will give users more control over their privacy.