Apple’s Partnership with Google: A Shift for Siri?
Is it time to say goodbye to your iPhone if you’re not keen on Google? Well, Apple’s recent moves might make you think so.
Apple has been attempting to launch its AI-driven project, Apple Intelligence, for quite some time. Unfortunately, the results have not been promising. With delays, missed deadlines, and even a lawsuit claiming false advertising, it seemed like the project was, well, struggling to find its footing. Perhaps sensing the gravity of the situation, Apple has officially joined forces with Google to breathe new life into Siri. Though, just to be clear, there are growing concerns about user privacy and data collection that might leave some users feeling uneasy about sticking with their iPhones.
Siri Gets Support from Google
As reported earlier this year, Apple has decided to pause the development of its own AI model for Siri. Instead, it’s teaming up with Google under a contract valued at around $5 billion. This partnership will leverage a revamped version of Google’s Gemini 3.
After years of effort with little success, it’s quite significant that Apple is seeking help from Google. There were whispers about development issues within the Siri team for a while. It appears those concerns were warranted, as the upgraded Siri has had to reboot multiple times since its announcement at WWDC 2024. Now, that partnership is coming to fruition.
With Gemini serving as the backbone for a new iteration of Siri expected in the coming months, it’s important to note that Apple isn’t completely abandoning its quest to create its own large-scale language model. This collaboration seems more like a temporary fix as Apple looks to get its internal resources aligned for future iterations.
Privacy Concerns with Smarter Siri
Apple’s history with major tech collaborations, especially related to AI, isn’t new. Currently, Apple Intelligence utilizes ChatGPT for more complex queries that can’t be processed on-device, sending those requests to OpenAI via what they call Apple’s Private Cloud Compute—a setup designed to keep user data anonymous and protect privacy.
You might initially assume that the new Siri powered by Gemini would follow a similar path. However, reports indicate that Gemini 3 actually demands more robust hardware than Apple’s private cloud can provide at the moment. Consequently, once the new Siri arrives, queries will be processed directly on Google’s servers. This change allows Google to access and track data related to Siri’s operation, fundamentally altering the user experience and how Apple’s AI might evolve.
Even if Google claims it doesn’t utilize personal data for AI training, documentation suggests otherwise. There’s mention of the data being used to enhance services and train generative AI models, including performing tasks like adding items to shopping lists. This raises some eyebrows—after all, Google’s entire business model heavily relies on consumer data collection.
What Can Users Do?
If the notion of Google collecting and capitalizing on your data through the new Siri unsettles you, you might be contemplating a switch away from your iPhone. But here’s the kicker: what are your options? Almost all alternatives rely on Android, which is closely linked to Google and its array of data-centric applications.
However, if you’re keen on opting out of Apple Intelligence altogether, here’s a quick rundown:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Tap on Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Toggle off “Apple Intelligence” at the top, and voilà, you’re done.
Keep in mind, though, that while this will disable some of Siri’s intelligence, your data will remain safer from being shared on Google’s servers.
Siri’s first major overhaul is anticipated around March or April, while a more advanced model will be operational on Google’s servers by fall. Until then, Siri queries will remain somewhat private. The future does seem to have a lot of changes in store, so stay tuned for what comes next.
