IBM bans Siri from the workplace, cites privacy concerns

[Jos]

Siri can be an invaluable assistant to some iPhone users, allowing for quick web searches and setting up reminders, among other stuff. But with the rise of “bring your own device” (BYOD) policies in businesses, some are also starting to see it as a potential threat, worried that Apple’s voice assistant might have loose lips. That’s the case with IBM which has banned the use of Siri in the workplace.

Jeanette Horan, IBM's chief information officer, said the decision was made because the company is concerned that the spoken data could be stored somewhere on Apple's servers. The company’s worries are not entirely unfounded. In fact, Apple’s iPhone Software License Agreement states:

"By using Siri or Dictation, you agree and consent to Apple's and its subsidiaries' and agents' transmission, collection, maintenance, processing, and use of this information, including your voice input and User Data, to provide and improve Siri, Dictation, and other Apple products and services."

Apple doesn’t say for how long data is stored or who is able to access it, but Horan admits IBM prefers to be “extraordinarily conservative" when it comes to security, adding: "It's the nature of our business."

A lot of the data Siri collects might be inconsequential, but for corporate users, certain disclosures — even if spoken only to a virtual assistant — could constitute violations of a non-disclosure agreement. Edward Wrenbeck, the lead developer of the original Siri iPhone app before Apple acquired it, agrees with this but also points out: “People are already doing things on these mobile devices. Maybe Siri makes their life a little bit easier, but it’s not exactly opening up a new avenue that wasn’t there before.”

Public file-transfer programs like Apple's iCloud are also banned. It should be noted, however, that IBM's conservative policies with respect to applications and serves are not limited to Apple. The company blocks third party services like Dropbox and equips phones with additional software to encrypt information as it travels to and from corporate networks or wipe data in case devices are lost or stolen.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/48715-ibm-bans-siri-from-the-workplace-cites-privacy-concerns.html

 

[Tygerstrike]

Ok in one regard I can see why IBM would want to control information output. On the other hand Apple would have to know exactly which ppl who own Iphones actually worked in a sensative position within a company in order to effectivly spy/eavesdrop on them. Im sure with enough digging they could find that information, but it wouldnt be worth their time. Most information is going to be through paperwork, and unless the individual is taking photos of their work product Apple wouldnt have any luck. Also even if Siri interactions are being recorded, it would take Apple a very long time to go through every single OPS command for Siri on every single phone in the state

 

[Guest]

You have a small and feeble mind!

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Yeah, just because you can't imagine what they'd want to protect, doesn't mean it's useless info. For all you know IBM works with Samsung and HTC and they don't want Apple having a complete list of the appointments.