Apple announces Siri privacy changes


Apple announced Wednesday changes to its quality control measures for Siri. The efforts aim to improve Siri by reviewing commands and results. This change follows a report that revealed Apple contractors were monitoring a small sampling of audio captured during Siri commands.

Apple has acknowledged the monitoring failed to meet its privacy commitments to customers. The company also announced changes to address concerns. The concerns cover retaining audio recordings and lack of transparency with no opt-in or way to opt-out. In a statement, Apple said:



First, by default, we will no longer retain audio recordings of Siri interactions. We will continue to use computer-generated transcripts to help Siri improve.

Second, users will be able to opt in to help Siri improve by learning from the audio samples of their requests. We hope that many people will choose to help Siri get better, knowing that Apple respects their data and has strong privacy controls in place. Those who choose to participate will be able to opt out at any time.

Third, when customers opt in, only Apple employees will be allowed to listen to audio samples of the Siri interactions. Our team will work to delete any recording which is determined to be an inadvertent trigger of Siri.

This is a good example of crises communications and Apple has handled this well. Apple has maid its case why collected data is useful and remedied the situation immediate by suspending the activity and providing information and controls for customers.