Apple Expands Siri AI Access in iOS 27, Leaving Users to Manage Privacy Risks
Updated
Updated · EFF · Sep 18
Apple Expands Siri AI Access in iOS 27, Leaving Users to Manage Privacy Risks
3 articles · Updated · EFF · Sep 18
Summary
iOS 27’s new Siri AI now merges with Spotlight and can search across Apple apps by default, pulling from Notes, Messages, email and, over time, supported third-party apps.
Some requests run on-device, but others go to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, and users get no clear visual cue showing when data leaves the iPhone for cloud processing.
Apple lets users curb some access by turning off an app’s “Show Content in Search,” opting out of “Improve Siri & Dictation” training data, or switching back to “Siri Classic” through Screen Time restrictions.
One major gap remains: on-screen awareness can analyze whatever is visible in apps like Signal or WhatsApp, and neither users nor developers can fully block that feature today.
Only iPhone 15 Pro, 16-series and newer models support the AI features, which are currently limited to English and not available worldwide.