Apple will continue to grade computer-generated Siri conversations even if users haven’t opted-in
After the details over Apple’s Siri grading process were disclosed earlier in the month, the company suspended the program and laid off contractors. Now, Apple has published a new support document with several common questions and answers about its quality evaluation process.
Apple has since apologized as seen below and has since said that the evaluation process will resume in the Fall.
We 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
The new process will be on an opt-in basis with improved privacy measures and will no longer retaining audio recordings. However, Apple says it will continue to review anonymized computer-generated transcripts of Siri interactions, even from users who do not opt in. The support article that was released reads as followed:
Is the only way for Siri not to retain my audio recordings and transcripts to disable Siri?
By default, Apple will no longer retain audio of your Siri requests, starting with a future software release in fall 2019. Computer-generated transcriptions of your audio requests may be used to improve Siri. These transcriptions are associated with a random identifier, not your Apple ID, for up to six months. If you do not want transcriptions of your Siri audio recordings to be retained, you can disable Siri and Dictation in Settings.
The changes to Siri will be implemented in a future iOS update later this year.