Apple changes stance on using customer data to train its AI
apple privacy training
| Source: Mastodon | Original article
Apple will require user opt‑in for data use to train Siri AI starting with iOS 27, reversing its previous stance on using customer data.
Apple has revised its privacy stance by allowing Siri’s underlying AI to be trained on user data, but only with explicit consent. A new clause in the iOS 27 privacy policy makes clear that the company will now ask customers to opt‑in to sharing their interactions for model training, a reversal from its previous “no‑data‑use” position.
The shift reflects Apple’s acknowledgement that high‑quality conversational AI, such as the Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence, requires real‑world usage data to improve accuracy and relevance. By moving to an opt‑in model, Apple hopes to balance the need for richer training material with the privacy expectations that have long defined its brand.
The change matters on several fronts. For users, it introduces a direct choice about whether their personal queries help shape future Siri capabilities, potentially sparking debate over the trade‑off between privacy and functionality. For the industry, Apple’s move signals that even the most privacy‑focused firms may need to lean on user data to stay competitive with rivals that already leverage large datasets. Regulators will likely watch how Apple implements the consent flow and whether it meets emerging European and Nordic data‑protection standards.
What to watch next includes the uptake rate of the opt‑in prompt once iOS 27 ships, any measurable impact on Siri’s performance, and whether Apple expands the policy to other AI services under its Apple Intelligence umbrella. Observers will also be keen to see if the company refines its privacy disclosures or introduces additional safeguards in response to user feedback and regulatory scrutiny.
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