iOS 27 Siri AI Adds New Opt-In Setting for Sharing Data With Apple's Foundation Models

iOS 27 Launches With Redesigned Data Sharing Prompt

Apple released Siri AI to the public today as part of iOS 27, introducing a significant change to how the company requests user consent for data collection1

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. During setup, users enabling Siri AI will encounter a new prompt asking whether they want to opt in to "improve Siri and Apple Intelligence," with two clear options: "Share Audio and Text" or "Not Now"1

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. This marks a departure from the previous "Improve Siri & Dictation" setting that focused solely on speech recognition improvements.

Apple's Foundation Models Now Part of Data Usage

The critical shift in iOS 27 privacy settings centers on expanded data usage rather than the type of data collected. Apple will now use audio and text interactions from Siri, Dictation, and Translate to train and refine its Foundation Models alongside traditional Siri and Dictation improvements1

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. Even users who previously opted in under the old setting will be asked again when enabling Siri AI, giving them an opportunity to reevaluate their preference now that the data serves a broader purpose in training generative AI systems1

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Privacy-First Approach Remains Core to Apple Intelligence

Apple positions Siri AI as the most private way to use generative AI, emphasizing that Apple Intelligence processes data on-device wherever possible without requests leaving users' iPhone, iPad, or Mac2

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. When cloud consultation becomes necessary, Apple uses Private Cloud Compute servers that do not store personal data or make it available to Apple or third parties2

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. Apple stated that "every facet of new Apple Intelligence architecture is built privacy-first, from the latest Apple Foundation Models to the core operating system technologies"2

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Understanding Data Protection Measures

Apple makes its privacy protections explicit when requesting opt-in consent. Siri audio data, transcripts, and related user data are tied to a random device-generated identifier that rotates multiple times per hour rather than being linked to Apple Account credentials or email addresses1

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. Apple explicitly states it does not use the data to build marketing profiles or sell information to third parties1

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. Outside experts can verify Apple's privacy promise regarding Private Cloud Compute at any time2

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How to Manage Your Privacy Settings

Users maintain full control over their data sharing preferences through Analytics & Improvements settings. Those who wish to prevent Apple from collecting their data to improve speech recognition models and Foundation Models should select "Not Now" during setup2

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. Preferences can be changed at any time by navigating to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Improve Siri & Apple Intelligence, and toggling the opt-in setting on or off1

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. Disabling this setting won't prevent users from accessing Siri AI functionality—it simply removes Apple's ability to use those interactions for model training2

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. Apple has published a new support document detailing these settings across all of its platforms1

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