{"id":28191,"date":"2019-08-02T17:00:23","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packetstormsecurity.com\/news\/view\/30359\/Apple-Halts-Practice-Of-Contractors-Listening-In-To-Users-On-Siri.html"},"modified":"2019-08-02T17:00:23","modified_gmt":"2019-08-02T17:00:23","slug":"apple-halts-practice-of-contractors-listening-in-to-users-on-siri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.threatshub.org\/blog\/apple-halts-practice-of-contractors-listening-in-to-users-on-siri\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Halts Practice Of Contractors Listening In To Users On Siri"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple has suspended its practice of having human contractors listen to users\u2019 Siri recordings to \u201cgrade\u201d them, following a Guardian report revealing the practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The company said it would not restart the programme until it had conducted a thorough review of the practice. It has also committed to adding the ability for users to opt out of the quality assurance scheme altogether in a future software update.<\/p>\n

Apple<\/a> said: \u201cWe are committed to delivering a great Siri experience while protecting user privacy. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contractors working for Apple in Ireland said they were not told about the decision when they arrived for work on Friday morning, but were sent home for the weekend after being told the system they used for the grading \u201cwas not working\u201d globally. Only managers were asked to stay on site, the contractors said, adding that they had not been told what the suspension means for their future employment.<\/p>\n

The suspension was prompted by a report in the Guardian last week that revealed the company\u2019s contractors \u201cregularly\u201d hear confidential and private information while carrying out the grading process, including in-progress drug deals, medical details and people having sex.<\/p>\n