Apple announces that iOS 15.4 beta 2 fixes a bug where some iPhones recorded interactions with Siri and sent them to Apple. This is despite the fact that users had specifically requested that such recordings not take place.
Apple just recently rolled out the new beta version of iOS 15.4 and some patches have actually surprised several users. Specifically, when updating to iOS 15.4 beta 2, a configuration screen asks users to choose whether they want to improve Siri and dictation by sending recordings to Apple. This choice is intended to prevent Apple from collecting and reviewing records of interactions with Siri. We, therefore, understand that Apple would have collected interactions with Siri without the consent of users because of a bug.
A bug since known since iOS 15
In a statement to ZDNet, Apple says this recording bug with Siri debuted with iOS 15. Recordings were mistakenly kept for some users who turned off the option to share their voice interactions or dictations with Apple in an effort to improve the voice assistant. Here is the official communication from Apple regarding this bug:
“With iOS 15.2, we disabled the Enhance Siri and Dictation setting for many Siri users while fixing a bug introduced with iOS 15. This bug inadvertently enabled the setting for a small portion of devices. Since the identification of the bug, we have ceased analysis and are deleting received audio files from all affected devices.”
A questionable silence
From what we understand, Apple has been aware of this bug since December. It was indeed during this period that the Cupertino company made iOS 15.2 available to the general public. We do not find any trace of communication on this subject until today. This long silence is surprising. Indeed, the Apple brand has always had respect for privacy as its main concern. Also, Apple doesn’t say how many accidental recordings there were.