Apple Taps Google Gemini for Siri—But Says Your Data Is Safe

Apple and Google just announced something unusual: a multi year partnership that will see Google's Gemini AI powering the next generation of Siri. The companies issued a joint statement, marking one of the first times these fierce rivals have formally aligned on core technology. The question privacy conscious users are asking is simple: what happens to my data now?

What the Partnership Means

After evaluating multiple options, Apple determined that Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models. Gemini will serve as the backbone for upcoming Siri improvements and other Apple Intelligence features across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The deal reportedly involves Apple paying Google around $1 billion for access to its AI technology, though neither company has confirmed the exact terms.

The Privacy Promises

Both companies moved quickly to address privacy concerns. Their joint statement emphasized that "Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple's industry leading privacy standards."

According to Google, the arrangement works similarly to how Siri currently handles ChatGPT requests. Apple routes queries to the AI service without sharing training data, and the service processes requests without building profiles on individual users.

Apple clarified that while Gemini will be used as a foundation to power Siri and Apple Intelligence features, it is not what will be running directly on your iPhone. Instead, Apple's own models will continue processing on device, with Gemini handling more complex queries through Apple's controlled cloud infrastructure.

What We Still Do Not Know

The joint statement was light on implementation details. Several questions remain unanswered:

• What specific data gets sent to Google's servers for processing?
• How long is that data retained before deletion?
• Can users opt out of Gemini powered features while keeping other Siri functionality?
• Will there be transparency reports showing what data flows between companies?

The lack of detail is notable. When companies announce privacy protecting measures, specifics matter. Vague assurances leave room for practices that users might not expect or accept if they understood them fully.

Why This Partnership Matters

Apple has built its brand on privacy. The company regularly runs ads contrasting its approach with competitors who monetize user data. Partnering with Google, a company whose core business depends on data collection and targeted advertising, creates obvious tension.

Google has stated that it will not receive Apple user data through this deal. But the companies have partnered before. Google pays Apple billions annually to remain the default search engine on Safari, a deal that privacy advocates have long criticized for undermining Apple's privacy positioning.

This AI partnership represents a deeper integration. When you ask Siri a question, that query may now travel through Google's infrastructure. Even with privacy protections in place, you are trusting both companies to honor their commitments.

What You Can Do

For now, the partnership has been announced but not fully deployed. When it rolls out, pay attention to the settings Apple provides. If there are options to limit AI features or process queries on device only, consider using them.

More broadly, remember that privacy is not just about one company or one feature. Your email, your searches, your voice queries, and your location all contribute to a data profile. Reducing exposure in one area, like your inbox, helps limit overall tracking even when other services collect data.

Both Apple and Google have earned skepticism. Trust their privacy promises, but verify when you can. And know that when tech giants partner, user data is always part of the equation, no matter what joint statements claim.