Apple admits contractors hear some user interactions with Siri

Interactions with Siri are analysed as part of quality control

Contractors working for Apple hear a small portion of recordings from voice assistant Siri, the company has confirmed.

The technology giant said part of its quality control involved maintaining and improving the virtual assistant.

According to a report by the Guardian, contractors employed by Apple to analyse the interactions said they regularly hear personal information and parts of private conversations.

Siri – which is built into Apple devices such as the iPhone and Apple Watch – can be activated when it hears the phrase “Hey Siri”.

However, the assistant can be accidentally prompted when it mistakenly thinks it hears the wake phrase.

It is also possible to accidentally trigger Siri when an Apple Watch detects it has been raised and then hears speech, even when a user is not planning to speak to the assistant.

Contractors working for Apple hear a small portion of recordings from voice assistant Siri, the company has confirmed.

The technology giant said part of its quality control involved maintaining and improving the virtual assistant.

According to a report by the Guardian, contractors employed by Apple to analyse the interactions said they regularly hear personal information and parts of private conversations.

Siri – which is built into Apple devices such as the iPhone and Apple Watch – can be activated when it hears the phrase “Hey Siri”.

However, the assistant can be accidentally prompted when it mistakenly thinks it hears the wake phrase.

It is also possible to accidentally trigger Siri when an Apple Watch detects it has been raised and then hears speech, even when a user is not planning to speak to the assistant.