(Credit: Apple)
Siri Recap, a new Apple Watch feature that can create AI-generated summaries based on your conversations, turns the world's most popular smartwatch into a major privacy threat. You won't necessarily know who's recording you, let alone be able to stop the upload of your personal data to Apple's servers for analysis. The feature might be useful for recalling details from earlier in the day, but it's also decidedly dystopian because it normalizes the idea of near-ubiquitous electronic devices always listening and keeping notes. I'm not ready for how this feature might change how freely people communicate in public, and I really think Apple needs to address certain aspects before it goes live.
Bystanders Have Zero Way to Opt Out
Siri Recap is technically optional, with Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 users getting to choose between on-demand or always-on modes. Siri Recap doesn't work on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, or other older models. On the latest devices, it’s optional only for the person wearing the watch. If someone decides to record you, there's little you can do to prevent them, short of running away as fast as possible or smashing their watch. I don't recommend the latter for legal reasons.
Yes, many US states require two-party consent, meaning recording audio without the other person’s consent is illegal. I’m not a lawyer, so I’m not sure how this feature will fare in states with such laws. After all, Siri Recap might not meet that legal definition because it converts audio to transcripts rather than permanently storing recordings, but this seems like a loophole that runs counter to the spirit of these privacy laws.
'Mindful' Warnings Won't Stop Anyone
Apple says that Siri Recap won’t upload audio to the cloud or store it on your device. The company says it won’t identify speakers by name in the conversation summary, either. Apple explains that the feature is designed to “omit potentially harmful content,” such as hateful speech, and “sensitive information,” such as financial data.
In a nod to privacy concerns, the company further instructs Apple Watch users to “be mindful of those around you,” as some “conversations might be private or sensitive.” But even if the Apple Watch successfully omits the data it intends to, it's not much of a stretch to think that the person recording can fill in those details themselves later. And the suggestion to "be mindful" seems like it's going to prevent absolutely no one from recording others.
Don't Be Fooled: Your Data Still Hits the Cloud
Even though Apple claims it’s not uploading audio transcripts of your conversations to the cloud, it’s still uploading sensitive information. Apple explains that your watch will send captured audio to your iPhone, where it is transcribed. Then, your iPhone sends a condensed version of the text transcript to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers, where powerful AI models will generate the final summary.
Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers seem much more secured than those of competing chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Claude, but I’m still not comfortable with a device uploading any data on my conversations, especially when it's potentially not even up to me.
The Paranoia Factor: You'll Never Know Who’s Recording
The Apple Watch isn't the first wearable to launch with an AI note-taking feature. Plaud's wireless earbuds can do the same, for example. However, the Apple Watch is far more mainstream, with many people wearing it almost 24/7. That includes people who deal with potentially sensitive information, such as in education, finance, and healthcare settings.
If you’re having a private conversation with someone, you might awkwardly need to ask them if they are recording you with their watch. Businesses of all kinds might require employees to stop wearing their Apple Watches in the office to prevent them from recording sensitive information. But how that plays out practically is sure to lead to tension and conflict, as it has with smart glasses.
An abusive partner could also check the Siri Recap notes on a victim’s device to monitor their conversations. Authorities could demand you show them your Siri Recap details to check the same. The potential for harm is tremendous.
In short, your everyday, in-person conversations might no longer be ephemeral: An AI might be listening, taking notes, and archiving them for later. And that data could fall into the wrong hands and prove disastrous.
Apple Is Only Protecting the Watch Owner—Not You
I'm not sure if the Apple Watch will reach the level of contempt people feel for pervert glasses and Flock cameras because the device's health and workout-tracking features are genuinely valuable. But I hate that Apple ruined a good product for a feature that's such a major privacy threat.
Apple’s Audio Intelligence page promises that these Apple Watch features are “built from the ground up to protect your privacy.” But it's abundantly clear that Apple is only speaking to the person wearing the watch. If I'm having a conversation in a public place full of people wearing Apple Watches, I can't reasonably expect my privacy to be protected.
The company could make Siri Recap safer for everyone by requiring users to enable it on demand, adding a tally light, or designing a Bluetooth system that alerts you when an Apple Watch is recording (similar to AirTag tracking alerts).
Apple says this feature will help people live in the moment, but it's making me want to avoid public places and conversations altogether, and I doubt I'm alone.
About Our Expert
I've been writing about technology for more than 15 years and using it in earnest for over twice as long. As a member of PCMag's software team, I focus on Windows coverage, but also write about other key desktop operating systems and system apps. (I used Windows 3.1 upon its release and have followed every subsequent release closely).
Prior to joining PCMag, I wrote for How-To Geek starting in 2011, and my articles amassed over a billion page views. I went on to run the publication as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. I have also contributed to Computerworld, Fast Company, PCWorld, Reader's Digest, The New York Times, and many other outlets about everything from AI to PC hardware to Windows. I founded and ran my own direct-to-reader Windows-focused newsletters, Windows Intelligence and The Windows ReadMe, working in partnership with Thurrott.com.
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