At Apple, the commitment to user privacy is a core aspect of product and feature development. The company emphasizes privacy technologies and techniques as foundational elements in their design process. Apple's approach includes principles like data minimization, on-device intelligence, transparency and control, and robust security protections.
Apple's digital assistant, Siri, reflects this commitment by being engineered to safeguard user privacy. According to Apple, "Privacy is a foundational part of the design process," ensuring that Siri remains the most private digital assistant available. The company states it has never used Siri data for marketing profiles or advertising purposes and has never sold it for any purpose.
Apple explains that Siri processes as much information as possible directly on users' devices. This allows for personalized experiences without transferring personal data to Apple servers. For instance, when users ask Siri to read messages or provide suggestions through widgets and searches, processing occurs on the device itself.
However, certain features require real-time input from Apple servers. In these cases, minimal data is used to achieve accurate results. Importantly, "Siri searches and requests are not associated with your Apple Account." Instead, a random identifier tracks data during processing without linking it to user identity through accounts or phone numbers.
Audio recordings of interactions with Siri are not retained unless users opt-in to help improve the service. Even then, recordings serve only that purpose. Users can choose to opt out at any time.
Apple highlights advancements in its intelligence capabilities with many models running entirely on devices designed for enhanced privacy protection. For requests requiring access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends iPhone's privacy into the cloud without storing or accessing user data beyond fulfilling specific requests.
The company's dedication is encapsulated in their belief: "We believe privacy is a fundamental human right." They continue focusing on designing products and services that protect this right.
More information about Apple's privacy approach can be found at apple.com/privacy.
