Siri AI necessitates deep access to user data and system functionality. The EU will not let Apple launch these features until it is possible for third-party AI providers to also offer similar functionality. While Apple can ensure that Siri handles user data in a privacy-preserving way, it cannot guarantee the same for other companies looking to integrate.
Apple says it has been negotiating with EU regulators over the last several months to try and find a solution, but to no avail. The company says it even developed a new layer called ‘Trusted System Agent’ to coordinate access to such sensitive data, but the EU rejected the proposals.
As such, it is currently at an impasse. Here’s what Apple SVP Craig Federighi said on the matter:
“We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Our hope is to eventually bring Siri AI to the EU, and we will continue to engage with EU regulators on a path forward. However, their refusal to engage constructively on solutions that preserve privacy and security means we do not currently have a timeline for Siri AI’s availability on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.”
