Summary
Apple’s optional Improve Siri & Apple Intelligence setting allows the company to store and review samples of Siri, Dictation and Translate interactions. Apple says the data can also be used to train foundation models when the setting is enabled.
Apple’s support documentation now describes an optional setting that lets the company store and review samples of users’ Siri, Dictation and Translate interactions. The setting, called Improve Siri & Apple Intelligence, can also allow Apple to use that data to train foundation models.
Apple says the setting is available to users of Siri AI. Other users may see Improve Siri & Dictation, which covers improvement of Siri, Dictation and related language-processing features but is not described on the page as enabling foundation-model training.
What the setting allows
When either setting is enabled, Apple says it may store and review samples containing audio recordings, transcripts and related request data. The company says it uses this material to develop and improve Siri, Dictation and limited other language-processing features, including Translate and Voice Control.
For users who opt in to Improve Siri & Apple Intelligence, Apple says the same data may also be used to train foundation models. A foundation model is a general-purpose AI model trained on broad data and later adapted to perform or support multiple tasks. In this case, Apple’s documentation describes the permitted data use but does not identify particular models, training stages or the volume of samples involved.
Apple says the information is linked to a random, device-generated identifier rather than an Apple Account or email address. Only Apple employees review audio recordings, while a subset of non-audio samples may be reviewed by graders. The company also says request history—including audio data, transcripts and related request data—is not used to create a marketing profile and is never sold.
How Apple presents and controls the choice
The opt-in request can appear during setup of a new device. If Siri is not enabled during setup, Apple says the request appears the first time Siri, Dictation or Translate is turned on or used on that device.
The setting can be changed later under Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements on iPhone and iPad. Similar controls are available in Analytics & Improvements on Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. On HomePod and Apple TV, the setting can also be managed through the device’s privacy or analytics controls.
Apple says an Apple Watch or HomePod normally follows the setting of the iPhone or iPad used for setup. An Apple Watch configured for a family member has the setting off by default and cannot have it adjusted. Apple TV users can customise the choice during setup or later in its privacy settings.
The documentation makes the central distinction between improving existing voice and language features and permitting additional use of opted-in data for foundation-model training. It also places the choice under an opt-in control that Apple says can be changed at any time.