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What possible legitimate reason can Apple claim for requiring our contacts in order to use Dictation?

What possbible reason can Apple claim for requiring our contacts in order to use Dictation? Doesn't anyone else find this incredibly invasive and coercive? These heavy handed moves seem to make this company appear more like big brother than not. How are we to trust any company that behaves this way?

Posted on Nov 19, 2012 12:29 AM

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16 replies

Nov 19, 2012 10:51 AM in response to jc.p

System Preferences/Dictation & Speech/About Dictation Privacy


"Your computer will also send Apple other information, such as your first name and nickname; and the names, nicknames, and relationship with you (for example, “my dad”) of your address book contacts. All of this data is used to help the dictation feature understand you better and recognize what you say."


It appears some information is being sent to Apple, as JC.P typed.

Nov 23, 2012 8:57 PM in response to Eric Root

I think I need to back up a step or two and show what I am talking about.


The first image is the Dictation's warning from the System Preferences' window.


User uploaded file


The second image is the more detailed explanation of what the trade off is, if one chooses to use the very effective and powerful Dictation feature.


User uploaded file


I want the option to decline sending my data.


I want to know that if I use a Mac for business, that all my business contacts and business related dictations are not somehow floating around in the Apple corporate development tank, free to be used as they see fit.


This tradeoff is not equitible or acceptble, in my opinion.


I have used macs for years and use many now...and I'm very upset about this forceful behavior that Apple engages in. This sort of forced choice is not really a fair choice and I stronly object to it. Apple does not seem to respond to these things when voiced through their normal "feedback" channels.

Nov 23, 2012 9:22 PM in response to jc.p

jc.p wrote:


I want the option to decline sending my data. ...


There is no need for you to use Dictation. Turn it off.


For that matter, don't use the App Store. Apple collects personal information there too.


Don't use iTunes. Same thing.


Don't use email. Especially Google Mail. Do not use Google at all. Better not use any search engine.


Turn off cookies in your browser. Cookies are used for all sorts of intrusive reasons. Never shop online.


Don't use the iPhone. Don't use any phone. Never sign up for supermarket bonus points. Better not use their barcode scanner either. Don't pay with credit cards, and if you have a job be sure to get paid in cash. Never mind that - gold bullion.


Don't go anywhere there may be a security camera, which means don't go near an airport, train station, subway, bus stop, tall building, or drive on any highways or go over any bridges. Definitely don't use EZ-Pass. Don't have a driver's license at all.


Don't purchase a home, and don't rent one either. Don't buy medical insurance - oops, that's illegal now.


Good luck living in the 21st century.


http://www.apple.com/feedback <--- don't do that either.

Nov 23, 2012 9:34 PM in response to John Galt

Well..there is a good reason to use Dictation.


I'd like to hear more realistic and intelligent replies.


Much of our privacy has been taken from us and I think we need to take it back.


When companies we have trusted force such choices upon us, we need to make it very clear that it is not ok and we need to make corrections.

Nov 23, 2012 9:37 PM in response to jc.p

I'm not saying I like such "progress" any more than you do jc.p.


😟


Much of our privacy has been taken from us and I think we need to take it back.


It has not been taken as much as it has been voluntarily surrendered. Enthusiastically surrendered. You can make the same observation about many recent events. This is hardly the worst example.

Nov 23, 2012 9:44 PM in response to jc.p

I understand, but this is not a forum in which users may lodge complaints. The only way to do so is with the Feedback link I provided.


Apple does not respond to Feedback, as you wrote. They do listen though.


As for a technical suggestion, consider using Little Snitch. It alerts you to outside requests and allows you the option of intercepting outgoing network communication from your Mac.


It will not reverse the tide of "progress", but it might just hold back this tiny bit, so as to allay your concerns.

Nov 23, 2012 10:27 PM in response to David M Brewer

I am going to chime in about all this 🙂


1st if you want to use dictation that's they way they have it. Yes send in the suggestion, or call them. It might not affect anything, but at least you've made the effort. They are not the enemy, really, and it might make a important (especially to you) change for the whole Apple OS world.


2nd How in the world do you thing Dictation or Siri is working? It sends the information to the Apple Computer farm in Charlotte or somewhere. It analyzes, you, you have some profile that it uses to figure out what you are talking about or saying. What about language or accents from differing places. It's gotta figure all this stuff out. And then when it does figure it out it has to send it back to you.


and 3rd if you aren't doing anything wrong what do you care? Apple has this closed sytem and it's pretty much stayed that way. Consider the alternative, Android. No worries about privacy there, now is there😉

What possible legitimate reason can Apple claim for requiring our contacts in order to use Dictation?

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