[Update 2020-20-11 22:10 hrs: Added info about Apple suspending its “grading” program and updated links to sources.]

“Siri, violate my privacy…”

You don’t expect your phone or tablet to spy on you.

Last year news broke that Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, sends audio of sexual encounters and other private moments recorded without users’ knowledge to human ‘graders’ for evaluation.

“There have been countless instances of recordings featuring private discussions between doctors and patients, business deals, seemingly criminal dealings, sexual encounters and so on. These recordings are accompanied by user data showing location, contact details, and app data.”

This gross violation of your privacy is done through 3rd-party contractors with little consideration of users’ privacy, said a whistleblower.

Apple suspended the grading program world-wide after news reports broke.

Now we learn that Apple routinely violates your right to privacy another way – by scanning all the images on your Apple device.

Does it matter to you Apple claims it violates your privacy rights “for the children”?

Apple began scanning user images sometime last year, but only published a disclaimer acknowledging the fact this week.

“Apple uses image matching technology to help find and report child exploitation.”

Journalist Chadwick Moore isn’t buying the tech giant’s explanation.

“Of course everyone is for stopping child abuse, and that’s not the issue here. It’s that I’m simply not buying it. I don’t believe that Apple really cares about fighting crime.”

Apple is excessively vague about the scans, too.

“All it [the disclaimer] says is that they can scan all your images, flip through all your data, and look for potentially illegal activity, including child pornography.”

According to RT.com, Apple isn’t the only tech giant willing to violate your right to privacy, either.

Google, Facebook and Twitter do this too.

 

What do you think?

Is it acceptable for tech companies to violate your privacy without your knowledge or consent?  Please let me know in the comments section below.