Apple Admits To iOS 15 Bug That Sends Recordings To Its Support Team

Apple’s smart assistant Siri may be good at listening out for a request for help, but beyond that, it’s also pretty good at listening out for, well, everything, even if the user isn’t explicitly talking to it.

While it’s useful to yell “Hey Siri!” from across a room and be able to get a response without needing to lift a finger, the fact that the assistant is essentially constantly listening out for its name can be worrying for some, especially when sensitive information is involved. 

ZDNet reports that Apple has spoken of a bug that affected those using iOS 15. Apparently, Siri had been sending audio recordings from iPhones to Apple, even if the users had previously opted out of the ‘Improve Siri & Dictation’ program. 

“This bug inadvertently enabled the setting for a small portion of devices,” a statement from Apple reads. “Since identifying the bug, we stopped reviewing and are deleting audio received from all affected devices.” 

However, it hadn’t shared how many users were affected or how many unauthorized recordings were taken and sent back to Apple. 

Upon release of iOS 15.2, the setting to join the program was turned off. The new beta version of iOS 15.4 includes a fix to this. However, as Input points out, Apple didn’t disclose this information with the rollout of iOS 15.2 to inform users of the potential risks.

[via Input and GizChina, image via DedMityay / Shutterstock.com]