The arrival of iOS 18.2 is certainly exciting, but it’s also important to know how ChatGPT Siri … [+]
Apple’s iOS 18.2 is finally here, along with ChatGPT Siri integration as part of the iPhone maker’s Apple Intelligence offering. The arrival of iOS 18.2 is certainly exciting, but it’s also important to know how ChatGPT Siri integration impacts your privacy.
Apple has made a big deal about Apple Intelligence, its AI capabilities that bring powerful functionality to the latest iPhones as of iOS 18. As part of this, Apple has been very vocal about privacy, stating that its AI features are offered partly on the device and in its Private Cloud Compute.
But for Siri and ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2, the rules are slightly different, as the move sees the iPhone maker go outside its own walled garden for the first time after it inked a deal with OpenAI.
Here’s how and when that happens — and what you can do to lock down your privacy while using the new iOS 18.2 Apple Intelligence features.
iOS 18.2 — How Siri Uses ChatGPT
In iOS 18.2, Siri can use ChatGPT to answer certain requests including questions about photos or documents. ChatGPT can also compose images or text from a description and ChatGPT with visual intelligence and Camera control “helps you learn more about places and objects around you,” Apple says.
Apple says you don’t need a ChatGPT account, but if you do have one, free or paid, you can connect it for more functionality.
If you want to set up ChatGPT go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > ChatGPT > Set Up.
Then choose Use ChatGPT without an account, or follow the steps to sign in. You can also turn ChatGPT off here and you can even block access to the chatbot.
You can set up ChatGPT in your iPhone Settings.
iOS 18.2 — Siri and ChatGPT And Your iPhone Privacy
In true Apple fashion, the iPhone maker has outlined a number of privacy features and options when using ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2.
First things first, is transparency. Siri will always ask your permission before sending requests to ChatGPT.
However, using ChatGPT without an account is very different than using it signed in.
“If you access the ChatGPT extension without an account, only your requests and attachments like documents, photos or contents of the document are sent to ChatGPT to answer your request,” Apple explains.
ChatGPT can be controlled in your iPhone Settings in iOS 18.2.
At the same time, ChatGPT owner OpenAI does not receive any information tied to your Apple account. “Your IP address is obscured from ChatGPT, but your general location is provided,” Apple says. “OpenAI must process your request solely for the purpose of fulfilling it and not store your request or any responses it provides unless required under applicable laws. OpenAI must not use your request to improve or train its models.”
However — and this is the big bit when you are signed in — your ChatGPT account settings and OpenAI’s data privacy policies apply.
Under Apple Intelligence & Siri, you can also control Apple Intelligence and Siri app access. You can choose to turn Learn from App Clips on or off and provide access to apps, or revoke it, one by one.
Apple has been approached for comment and I will update this article if the iPhone maker responds.
iOS 18.2 — What To Do
Everyone likes new iPhone features, even people who care about privacy. So, is it possible to have both when using the ChatGPT Siri integration in iOS 18.2?
Kind of.
Siri does share some data with Apple, so if you are using the voice assistant, that’s something to be aware of in the first place if you care about privacy. If you are happy with that and want to try out iOS 18.2’s new Apple Intelligence features, I suggest you do so, but with caution, certainly not signing into your ChatGPT account unless you want to be governed by OpenAI’s data use policy.