Apple plans to let users opt in to using Siri and dictation interactions for AI training in iOS 27, according to a privacy policy found in the latest pre-release version. The policy says Apple can store entire interactions with Siri and dictation, including audio data, typed and spoken Siri request transcripts, and Siri responses, while saying the data will not be linked to an Apple Account and that Apple takes steps to avoid storing or using personal data.

Developers with access to the iOS 27 release candidate report that Apple asks users to help improve Siri AI when they activate the feature. The public update is scheduled for Monday, September 14. Users can agree or choose a less prominent “Not now” option, and the dialog cannot be fully dismissed. After activation, users can turn the setting off again under “Settings > Analysis & Improvements”.

Apple also revised its responsible AI guidelines. The earlier sentence said, “Your private personal data and interactions are never used to train our foundation models”. Apple changed that commitment by adding an exception: “unless you explicitly choose to help improve them”. Some user data may be reviewed by unspecified review personnel, and Apple says audio material will only be listened to by Apple employees.

The change affects Apple’s previous positioning around Private Cloud Compute, Apple’s system for running cloud-based AI requests with privacy protections similar to local processing. Siri AI and many Apple Intelligence functions rely on Private Cloud Compute, and iOS 27 also brings Google servers into Apple’s Private Cloud Compute for the first time.

The policy shift comes as Apple introduced the iPhone Duo and two Apple Watch models designed to listen continuously. The watches can provide a transcript of the preceding 15 seconds and a daily conversation summary called “Siri Recap”, which Apple says also relies on Private Cloud Compute.

Apple previously faced a major data protection scandal after subcontractor employees said they evaluated Siri audio recordings that sometimes included unintentional recordings with intimate details and personal information. Apple temporarily stopped Siri audio evaluation and later restored it with an opt-in process.

Apple plans to let users opt in to using Siri and dictation interactions for AI training in iOS 27, according to a privacy policy found in the latest pre-release version. The policy says Apple can store entire interactions with Siri and dictation, including audio data, typed and spoken Siri request transcripts, and Siri responses, while saying the data will not be linked to an Apple Account and that Apple takes steps to avoid storing or using personal data.

Developers with access to the iOS 27 release candidate report that Apple asks users to help improve Siri AI when they activate the feature. The public update is scheduled for Monday, September 14. Users can agree or choose a less prominent “Not now” option, and the dialog cannot be fully dismissed. After activation, users can turn the setting off again under “Settings > Analysis & Improvements”.

Apple also revised its responsible AI guidelines. The earlier sentence said, “Your private personal data and interactions are never used to train our foundation models”. Apple changed that commitment by adding an exception: “unless you explicitly choose to help improve them”. Some user data may be reviewed by unspecified review personnel, and Apple says audio material will only be listened to by Apple employees.

The change affects Apple’s previous positioning around Private Cloud Compute, Apple’s system for running cloud-based AI requests with privacy protections similar to local processing. Siri AI and many Apple Intelligence functions rely on Private Cloud Compute, and iOS 27 also brings Google servers into Apple’s Private Cloud Compute for the first time.

The policy shift comes as Apple introduced the iPhone Duo and two Apple Watch models designed to listen continuously. The watches can provide a transcript of the preceding 15 seconds and a daily conversation summary called “Siri Recap”, which Apple says also relies on Private Cloud Compute.

Apple previously faced a major data protection scandal after subcontractor employees said they evaluated Siri audio recordings that sometimes included unintentional recordings with intimate details and personal information. Apple temporarily stopped Siri audio evaluation and later restored it with an opt-in process.