Apple Retains Siri Data For 2 Years | TechTree.com

Apple Retains Siri Data For 2 Years

Random identifier numbers associated with individual users sparks privacy concerns.

 

Apple has disclosed that it retains Siri data from users for up to two years, according to Wired. The company contends that this data is being used to improve the voice-activated software assistant. Allaying security concerns, the iPhone maker maintains that the data is stored anonymously and then discarded after two years. As you may know, Siri – the personal assistant software on iDevices requires a data connection in order to work.

When a user uses Siri, his/her voice clip is sent to Apple servers and stored with a unique random identity number, to help improve the experience for that particular user over a time period. Apple states that this random number is not associated in any way with the user's Apple ID, and therefore there is no cause for privacy concern. The random number is disassociated from the clip after six months, however the clip may remain on the servers for up to two years, citing "testing and product improvement purposes".

A user does have the choice to switch off Siri, after which, the associated random number as well as the data is deleted from Apple's servers. Security advocates may continue to contend that something fishy is going on over here, but if you think of it, it is no more of a security concern than saving your Gmail password on an Android phone, or sharing your various IM passwords with a unified IM client by simply believing that your password will not be seen by the services. In Apple's case, the company has actually come forward to honestly state that it retains data, which should dispel some fear that your data is being compromised.


TAGS: Mobile Phones, Apple

 
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