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"Speech Downloader is trying to modify your system settings"

Every now and again I get a pop-up window on my MacBook Pro (Running Catalina 10.15.4) saying "Speech Downloader is trying to modify your system settings. Touch ID or enter your password to allow this." I can't find an app or system setting specifically called Speech Downloader and I do not have Siri enabled. The last time it popped up I ran a full virus scan (with Antivirus One) which came up clean. I am naturally not allowing this thing anywhere near my system settings!


I would like to know what this is and how to get rid of it, if it's just a harmless system bug or potential malware. Thanks!


MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 5, 2020 7:44 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 5, 2020 8:08 AM

TheaProgram wrote:

Every now and again I get a pop-up window on my MacBook Pro (Running Catalina 10.15.4) saying "Speech Downloader is trying to modify your system settings. Touch ID or enter your password to allow this." I can't find an app or system setting specifically called Speech Downloader and I do not have Siri enabled. The last time it popped up I ran a full virus scan (with Antivirus One) which came up clean. I am naturally not allowing this thing anywhere near my system settings!

I would like to know what this is and how to get rid of it, if it's just a harmless system bug or potential malware. Thanks!


https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/2499504f-73ab-4aac-8439-38b6d651a3b9



Try uninstalling the <Antivirus One> and see if the problem disappears as well.


Typically third party anti-virus on the mac just causes added issues, and competes with mac own built-inn security



ref: macOS - Security - Apple https://www.apple.com/macos/security/



>System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech > System Voice (drop down) > Customize...

See "Upgrade to enhanced quality". unchecking those boxes.



You can reference this thread: Speech Downloader pop up https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7696701



2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 5, 2020 8:08 AM in response to TheaProgram

TheaProgram wrote:

Every now and again I get a pop-up window on my MacBook Pro (Running Catalina 10.15.4) saying "Speech Downloader is trying to modify your system settings. Touch ID or enter your password to allow this." I can't find an app or system setting specifically called Speech Downloader and I do not have Siri enabled. The last time it popped up I ran a full virus scan (with Antivirus One) which came up clean. I am naturally not allowing this thing anywhere near my system settings!

I would like to know what this is and how to get rid of it, if it's just a harmless system bug or potential malware. Thanks!


https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/2499504f-73ab-4aac-8439-38b6d651a3b9



Try uninstalling the <Antivirus One> and see if the problem disappears as well.


Typically third party anti-virus on the mac just causes added issues, and competes with mac own built-inn security



ref: macOS - Security - Apple https://www.apple.com/macos/security/



>System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech > System Voice (drop down) > Customize...

See "Upgrade to enhanced quality". unchecking those boxes.



You can reference this thread: Speech Downloader pop up https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7696701



"Speech Downloader is trying to modify your system settings"

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