Apple contractors 'regularly hear confidential details' on Siri recordings

ronjor · Jul 26, 2019

Alex Hern@alexhern Fri 26 Jul 2019

Although Apple does not explicitly disclose it in its consumer-facing privacy documentation, a small proportion of Siri recordings are passed on to contractors working for the company around the world. They are tasked with grading the responses on a variety of factors, including whether the activation of the voice assistant was deliberate or accidental, whether the query was something Siri could be expected to help with and whether Siri’s response was appropriate.
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Minimalist · Jul 29, 2019

Apple’s shock Siri surveillance demands a swift response

Apple’s warnings around privacy – including Apple CEO Tim Cook’s warning that many of the tech firms we work with daily are marching us into a surveillance state – are important, (if not always convenient to those who argue that privacy is just something we should sacrifice for the good of the robots that we make).

However, the revelation that Apple has not made it clear that recordings of our private conversations are being shared with “contractors” for “quality control” and “training” purposes is a really bad look for the company.
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https://www.computerworld.com/artic...ri-surveillance-demands-a-swift-response.html

stapp · Aug 2, 2019

Apple has said that it will temporarily suspend its practice of using human contractors to grade snippets of Siri voice recordings for accuracy.
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“We are committed to delivering a great Siri experience while protecting user privacy,” an Apple spokesperson says in a statement to The Verge. “While we conduct a thorough review, we are suspending Siri grading globally. Additionally, as part of a future software update, users will have the ability to choose to participate in grading.”
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https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/2/2...ractors-siri-voice-recordings-privacy-opt-out

ronjor · Aug 2, 2019

Deleting your Siri voice recordings from Apple’s servers is confusing — here’s how
By Dieter Bohn@backlon Aug 2, 2019
It’s way too hard

Last night, Apple joined Google in ceasing its program of having human graders listen to user voice commands recorded by its voice assistant. Apple didn’t specify whether or not it was actually ceasing whether those recordings still take place at all. I asked and haven’t received a clear answer.
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Minimalist · Aug 2, 2019

There's a privacy explanation for why Apple doesn't let you delete Siri recordings

Here's the rub: Apple can't delete specific recordings. And that's to protect your privacy.

Unlike Google and Amazon, which collect voice data and associate it with an individual account, Apple's Siri recordings are given a random identifier each time the voice assistant is activated. That practice means Apple can't find your specific voice recordings. It also means voice recordings can't be traced back to a specific account or device. It may sound counterintuitive, but that's actually a privacy feature.
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https://www.cnet.com/news/theres-a-...-apple-doesnt-let-you-delete-siri-recordings/

Minimalist · Aug 2, 2019

Hey, Apple! 'Opt Out' Is Useless. Let People Opt In

Like Google and Amazon before it, Apple has been caught sending voice assistant recordings to contractors, who listen to snippets of your requests and conversations, without telling anyone. In response to the privacy concerns that raises, Apple says it will eventually give users control over whether their Siri data gets sent to third-party eavesdroppers, but it's unclear whether that consent will be opt-in or opt-out. Google and Amazon offer the latter. And it's not nearly good enough.
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https://www.wired.com/story/hey-apple-opt-out-is-useless/

guest · Aug 9, 2019

Apple is being sued over the Siri recording fiasco
The lawsuit alleges "unlawful and intentional recording of individuals."
August 7, 2019
https://www.imore.com/apple-being-sued-over-siri-recordings-fiasco

Apple is being hit with its first class action lawsuit as a result of the Siri recordings that were passed on to contractors to listen to. First spotted by Kid Lewsing, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Northern California.
The lawsuit goes after Apple for failing to disclose this practice to users and offering an opt own option.

"At no point did Plaintiffs consent to these unlawful recordings. Apple does not disclose that Siri Devices record conversations that are not preceded by a wake phrase or gesture. [...]"

The plaintiff goes on to argue that if users wanted to use Apple devices in the future, how would they be certain this practice isn't going on anymore.

"Plaintiffs would like to continue to use Siri Devices in the future, but will be uncertain as to whether Apple ceased its unlawful practices and violation of their privacy rights without the equitable relief requested herein, specifically an injunction prohibiting Apple from engaging in the unlawful practices alleged herein"
The plaintiffs are looking for a certain amount in damages and for Apple to delete the Siri recordings.
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guest · Aug 23, 2019

Apple contractors listened to 1,000 Siri recordings per shift, says former employee
August 22, 2019
https://www.irishexaminer.com/break...gs-per-shift-says-former-employee-945575.html

Contractors in Cork were expected to each listen to more than 1,000 recordings from Siri every shift - before Apple suspended the practice last month, according to an employee who had their contract abruptly terminated this week.

This follows revelations that human third-party contractors worldwide were carrying out the work on behalf of the tech-giant without Apple users’ knowledge.
Each Siri user’s details were kept anonymous, according to the employee. “Mostly it was users with Canadian, Australian or UK accents and there was a smaller team working on users with European languages.”

“I understood the reasons why the company was doing it but I could see why people would feel it was a breach of privacy because they weren’t telling people.”
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guest · Aug 28, 2019

Apple fires hundreds of contractors hired to listen to Siri recordings
It suspended the 'grading' program earlier this month
August 28, 2019
https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/28/apple-siri-recordings-terminates-contractors/

In the wake of revelations that Apple has people listening in to some Siri requests, Apple has fired more than 300 contractors in Cork, Ireland. As The Guardian reports those contractors were hired as part of a "grading" program that reviewed audio recorded by Siri.
More contractors throughout Europe may have been let go. As The Guardian reports, many are upset that Apple fired so many people with just one week's notice. Even those who were concerned with the program's ethical implications expressed their frustration.

Apple previously promised that "as part of a future software update, users will have the ability to choose to participate in grading." The company may have been able to add the opt-out capability as soon as the next iOS software update, expected in early October. But its decision to terminate the contractors in Cork suggests it doesn't plan to continue the program any time soon
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Threatpost: Apple Updates Privacy Policies After Siri Audio Recording Backlash

“We know that customers have been concerned by recent reports of people listening to audio Siri recordings as part of our Siri quality evaluation process — which we call grading,” said Apple in a Wednesday post. “We heard their concerns, immediately suspended human grading of Siri requests and began a thorough review of our practices and policies. We’ve decided to make some changes to Siri as a result.”
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Minimalist · Aug 28, 2019

Apple Updates Privacy Policies After Siri Audio Recording Backlash

Apple is taking steps to improve the privacy of audio collected by its Siri voice assistant, on the heels of backlash around a program that let contractors listen into Siri conversations.

On Wednesday, the phone giant apologized for violating users’ privacy through the program, which was implemented in order to improve audio accuracy, a process that Apple calls “grading.” Moving forward, Apple said that customers will now have the choice of opting out of the “grading” process, and that it will move the program in-house (versus before, when it was hiring third-party contractors to listen into the audio).
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https://threatpost.com/apple-updates-privacy-policies-after-siri-audio-recording-backlash/

guest · Oct 11, 2019

Apple Adds Option to Delete Siri History and Opt Out of Sharing Audio Recordings in iOS 13.2
October 10, 2019
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/10/siri-privacy-options-ios-13-2/

Earlier this year, it was discovered that Apple hired contractors to listen to a small percentage of anonymized ‌Siri‌ recordings to evaluate ‌Siri‌'s responses with the purpose of improving the assistant's accuracy and reliability.

Following the report, Apple suspended its ‌Siri‌ grading practices and told users that it would introduce tools allowing them to opt out of sharing their audio recordings.
When installing iOS 13.2, there's a new splash screen to opt out of sharing audio recordings, with Apple clearly explaining how those recordings are used.

"Help Improve ‌Siri‌ and Dictation by allowing Apple to store and review audio of your ‌Siri‌ and Dictation interactions on this iPhone and on any connected Apple Watch or HomePod. You can change this later in the settings for each device.
This data is not associated with your Apple ID, and will only be stored for a limited period."
In the Privacy section of the Settings app, there is indeed an option to turn off the "Improve ‌Siri‌ & Dictation" setting, plus there's a new setting in the ‌Siri‌ section of the Settings app that lets recordings be deleted entirely.
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guest · Oct 29, 2019

Apple resumes human reviews of Siri audio with iPhone update
October 29, 2019
https://apnews.com/078755dbec364b71a7b34abf63fb6284

Apple is resuming the use of humans to review Siri commands and dictation with the latest iPhone software update.

While common in the tech industry, the practice undermined Apple’s attempts to position itself as a trusted steward of privacy. CEO Tim Cook repeatedly has declared the company’s belief that “privacy is a fundamental human right,” a phrase that cropped up again in Apple’s apology.
Now, Apple is giving consumers notice when installing the update, iOS 13.2. Individuals can choose “Not Now” to decline audio storage and review.

Tech companies say the practice helps them to improve their artificial intelligence services.
But the use of humans to listen to audio recordings is particularly troubling to privacy experts because it increases the chances that a rogue employee or contractor could leak details of what is being said, including parts of sensitive conversations.
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guest · May 21, 2020

Irish Regulators 'in Contact' With Apple Over Siri Quality Control Program
May 21, 2020
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/21/irish-regulators-investigate-siri-quality-control/

Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is "in contact" with Apple after a former Apple contractor asked the DPC to investigate Apple's practice of allowing employees to listen to Siri recordings, reports Reuters.

The contractor, Thomas Le Bonniec, requested the assistance of the DPC in May and called for greater protection under the EU's privacy laws.
DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said that the DPC "engaged with Apple" when the ‌Siri‌ issue first arose last year, and Apple "made some changes," but now the DPC has additional questions.

"However, we have followed up again with Apple following the release of this public statement and await responses," he said, in reference to the letter. "In addition, it should be noted that the European Data Protection Board is working on the production of guidance in the area of voice assistant technologies."
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guest · Aug 14, 2020

We need a full investigation into Siri's secret surveillance campaign
The public deserves to know the extent to which Apple employees have been listening to our private conversations and intimate moments
August 14, 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...ri-secret-surveillance-campaign-investigation

Who authorized the makers of Apple’s Siri and their vendors to listen to private conversations in my home? Not me. So why should Apple be allowed to do this? This is what we must find out.

Last summer, the Guardian revealed that Apple was allowing its Siri voice assistant to transmit recordings of people without their knowledge.
Now, in a 20 May letter to EU privacy regulators, the whistleblower, Thomas Le Bonniec, renounced his non-disclosure agreement with Apple and demanded that regulatory authorities investigate Apple.

So far, all the EU has done is say it is talking with Apple.
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Meanwhile, there is no evidence the US has done anything to determine the extent of Apple’s secret Siri surveillance program. Laws protecting private communications include not only wiretapping at the federal level but state laws protecting against invasion of privacy.
What’s clearly needed now is a comprehensive investigation in the US, as well as in Europe, into what Apple did with its Siri monitoring program, and whether the other big tech companies have been responsible for similar abuses.
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But without comprehensive investigations, we may never know the extent of the damage to Apple’s customers, as well as what Apple has done to clean up its apparently egregious privacy violations. We need to make sure that when a company promises to protect your privacy, it pays a significant price when it breaches that trust.
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Apple contractors 'regularly hear confidential details' on Siri recordings

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