Apple has revealed that anything iPhone and iPad users are asking Siri is stored on its servers for up to two years, raising new privacy concerns. Siri was first supported on the iPhone 4S that was launched in October 2011 so Apple will only start deleting data six months from now. Apple does in fact keep individual voice data files for each user to improve Siri’s ability to interpret your speech. Apple though notes that the data is anonymised after six months.
What Else You Need To Know
- Siri is the personal assistant service on iOS devices like the iPhone 5 and iPad mini that answers questions, makes recommendations and performs actions through the user’s voice.
- Voice files being stored are associated with random numbers instead of users' Apple IDs or email addresses; then the user numbers are disassociated from the clips when they are six months old; but Apple keeps these disassociated files for up to 18 more months for testing and product improvement purposes.
Other sources
- 9to5 Mac
- Siri remembers…for two years says Apple
- iPhone Hacks
- Apple Keeps Your Siri Data For Two Years
- Engadget
- Apple confirms it keeps Siri data for up to two years
- iPhone Download Blog
- Apple confirms Siri remembers your personalized data for two years
- Everything iCafe
- What Apple does with your Siri data
- Phone Arena
- Your Siri voice files are kept by Apple for up to two years, though anonymized
- Mobile Crunch
- Apple Keeps Anonymized Voice Data Related To Virtual Assistant Siri For Up To 2 Years
- GigaOM
- Ever wonder what Apple does with your Siri data?
- Apple Insider
- Apple reveals it keeps anonymized Siri data for up to 2 years
- iPhone In Canada Blog
- Apple Keeps Anonymized Siri Data for Up to Two Years
- More...