iOS 13.2 software update: Apple resumes human reviews of Siri audio

Apple has decided to continue using its human contractors to review Siri audio commands and dictation, after taking a break for weeks. Apple is resuming its human reviews of Siri audio with latest iPhone software update. If you recall, Apple suspended practice in August and apologised for way it used human contractors to review audio. Despite fact that practice is common in tech industry as almost every major brand out re including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. were found using human contractors to review audio from ir respective digital voice assistant service, it undermined Apple’s attempts to position itself as a trusted steward of privacy. Apple CEO Tim Cook repeatedly has asserted company’s belief that “privacy is a fundamental human right,” a phrase that cropped up again in Apple’s apology.

iOS 13.2 software update

Apple is prompting users that y can choose “t w” to decline audio stor and review at time of installing iOS 13.2 software update. Users who enable this can turn it off later in settings. Apple also specifies that Siri data is t associated with a user’s Apple ID. All major tech companies indulging in this practise, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, say practice helps m to improve ir artificial intelligence services. However, use of humans to listen to audio recordings is particularly troubling to privacy experts because it increases chances that a rogue employee or contractor could leak details of what is being said, including parts of sensitive conversations.

READ | Apple says it's working to improve Siri's privacy protections

Previously, Apple stated y plan to resume human reviews this fall, without specifying exact timeline. Back n, Apple also said n that it would stop using contractors for reviews. It remains to be seen wher Apple pulls plug on practise where human contractors listen to Siri audio conversations. Meanwhile, Or tech companies have also been resuming practice after giving more tice. Google restarted practice in September, after taking similar steps to make sure people kw what y agree to. In September, Amazon said Alexa users could request that recordings of ir voice commands delete automatically.

(With ncy inputs)