Lawmakers asked Apple to reveal how it tracks its users. Here’s what the company said.

Coverage Type: 

After House Commerce Committee GOP leadership asked Apple about its data collection practices, the company has now replied. Apple said that its Siri voice assistant does not collect data unless it hears the trigger phrase, “Hey Siri.” The company also said it does not share any “Siri utterances” to third parties. Apple also laid out many of the policies it has shared publicly about its data collection and data use practices, which reflect what consumers see in the privacy policies they’re asked to review when they buy an Apple device. Its phones do not collect any location information from WiFi networks, cellular networks or Bluetooth when those capabilities are switched off. That reflects what Apple has said in its privacy policies. The company did reveal for the first time how many apps it rejects from its App Store for failing to comply with its policies — nearly 40 percent of submissions don’t make the cut. Apple also outlined its data policies for a new feature in its iOS 12 operating system, which will automatically share location data with partner firm RapidSOS during emergency calls.


Lawmakers asked Apple to reveal how it tracks its users. Here’s what the company said.