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IBM Thinks Siri Is Spying, Bans It

Or at least, it might if it was allowed on company's network

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2012 8:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – IBM has banned employees from using Siri on its network, because it doesn't trust the iPhone digital assistant. On Monday, IBM's CIO told the MIT Technology Review that though employees are free to use their personal iPhone at work, it was having problems with apps posing security risks. She said Siri in particular was off-limits because they're "worried that the spoken queries might be stored somewhere."

It's a valid concern. Peer into the iPhone's licensing agreement, and it specifically states that Siri queries are "recorded and sent to Apple" so they can be converted into text, Wired reports. Moreover, the agreement states that by using Siri you consent to Apple's "use of this information" to improve Apple products and services. Apple hasn't specified what that "use" might entail, or how long Siri queries might be stored.

A woman tries to use 'Siri' voice-activated assistant software built into the Apple iPhone 4S March 13, 2012 in Washington, DC.
A woman tries to use 'Siri' voice-activated assistant software built into the Apple iPhone 4S March 13, 2012 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
HarryBeaver
May 24, 2012 7:04 AM CDT
IBM probably decompiled the code to find out what it is doing.  I might get a smart phone if they ever come out with one that runs open source code.
bronzekid91
May 24, 2012 2:10 AM CDT
But all these modern tech gadgets are spying , people are just too naive to acknowledge it.
B-Diddy
May 23, 2012 4:42 PM CDT
DUH !!!!!!! The same thing happens on a Google/Android phone.  You are allways connected via Google, where you are, your searches and so on.
 

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