Millions of iPhone users warned over 'dangerous' new Apple rule that's 'automatic'

Millions of iPhone users warned over 'dangerous' new Apple rule that's 'automatic'

by · Birmingham Live

An urgent warning has been issued to millions of iPhone users as Apple turns on a "dangerous" feature automatically. Artificial intelligence (AI) features are now turned on by default on iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro/Max devices, and so Apple Intelligence pulls information from apps and tack action within them.

The rollout of iOS 18.3 sees artificial intelligence (AI) features operate as default, rather than users having to switch them on themselves. Not only does Apple Intelligence pull information from apps and tack action within them, the technology requires loads of storage to do so.

Tech experts warned that the AI system will take up 7GB, regardless what device it is running on. If you downloaded iOS 18.3, but do not want the AI system turned on, you will have to manually change the default setting.

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To do this, open the Settings app, scroll down and select Apple Intelligence & Siri. Then, toggle off Apple Intelligence and confirm 'Turn Off Apple Intelligence' when prompted. Chip Hallett, data privacy aficionado and author of The Ultimate Privacy Playbook, has warned that Apple Intelligence can access sensitive information stored in your apps.

"Apple Intelligence is going to be learning how you use your banking apps, your financial apps, and your location maps," Mr Hallett said. Petros Iosifidis, a professor in media policy at City University in London, told BBC News this week that there are potential advantages to this type of feature.

But he said: "But the technology is not there yet and there is a real danger of spreading disinformation." According to SecurityIntelligence.com, continuous data collection an analysis, which is the basis of Apple Intelligence, can lead to unauthorised access or misuse of personal information for users.

AI virtual assistants like Siri can capture frequent screenshots to personalise user experiences, it also says.