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Improving Siri's privacy protections

Apple, Apple Newsroom, 2019

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: Apple's August 2019 statement after reports that contractors listened to Siri recordings, describing the pause in human grading and the changes it made.
How much weight it carries: A primary statement from the vendor, dated August 2019. It states Apple's own account and its policy at that time, not independent findings.

Facts taken from this source

Apple said that, by default, it would no longer retain audio recordings of Siri interactions, and that users could opt in to let it learn from audio samples.
“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” (Changes list)
After reports of people listening to Siri recordings, Apple said it immediately suspended human grading of Siri requests and began a review of its practices.
“We heard their concerns, immediately suspended human grading of Siri requests and began a thorough review of our practices and policies” (Opening paragraph)