Apple admits Siri saves user voice recordings

 Apple admits Siri saves user voice recordings

A bug in iOS 15 allows Siri to store voice recordings when interacting with the virtual assistant, even if the user does not grant permission.

According to Zdnet, the bug appeared in the first version of iOS 15 when automatically activating the Improve Siri & Dictation setting - a feature that helps improve Siri over time. Normally, recordings would be deleted, but the error caused them to be archived.

Apple acknowledged the issue affected a "small amount" of iPhones, and said it deleted all related recordings and blocked the collection of new recordings after the release of iOS 15.2 on December 14, 2021. However, the company did not notify users of the problem at that time.

Photo: Patently Apple

Photo: Patently Apple

It was not until iOS 15.4 beta 2 that the bug was completely fixed. From this version, Apple will send a warning about whether to enable Improve Siri & Dictation or not when installing.

According to The Verge, Apple has been less transparent about the new bug in iOS 15. "How many people have Apple employees taken the recordings and listened to them?", this site questioned, and recommended iPhone owners. need to update to iOS 15.2 ASAP.

Apple has faced a series of lawsuits, accusing Siri of violating users' privacy by eavesdropping. In July 2020, the Guardian newspaper reported that Apple had hired a partner to listen and evaluate the recordings obtained from the virtual assistant. Apple then announced the cessation of this program, and also provided the option to turn off the recording feature for users.