Apple insists Siri does not betray your privacy to advertisers

In the United States, on January 9, 2025, Apple issued a statement regarding the privacy protections associated with its virtual personal assistant, Siri. This clarification came in light of a class-action lawsuit from 2019 that accused Siri of unintentionally activating and recording private conversations, which the plaintiffs claimed violated their privacy. The lawsuit highlighted alarming instances, including accusations that Siri recorded discussions of sensitive medical procedures, leading to targeted advertisements. Apple responded by emphasizing its commitment to user privacy, asserting that the company has never used Siri data for marketing purposes or shared it with third parties. Apple disclosed that Siri is designed to process data locally on devices rather than relying on Apple servers, facilitating personalized experiences without transferring sensitive information over the internet. They stated, "We have never used Siri data to build marketing profiles, never made it available for advertising, and never sold it to anyone for any purpose." This robust defense was aimed at reassuring users after the unsettling allegations from the lawsuit echoed concerns about data privacy in an increasingly connected world. The class-action lawsuit argued that Siri's inadvertent activations—triggered by similar words or common background noises—pose a real threat to privacy, effectively turning Apple devices into surveillance gadgets. Apple users shared personal concerns over the implications of such unintended recordings, particularly when discussing sensitive topics, further inciting the public's vigilance regarding their digital privacy. Apple acknowledged these risks by committing to minimizing data collection from Siri requests and ensuring these actions are not linked to users' accounts. Apple concluded its response with a statement expressing their belief that privacy is a fundamental human right, pledging continuous innovation to advance the privacy and security of Siri and other products. This enduring focus on user protection highlights the intense scrutiny tech companies face over their data practices and the critical importance of privacy in consumer trust and technology deployment in modern society.