Apple introduced a new semantic search feature in the iPhone 16, the description of which evokes associations with the scandalous Windows Recall tool. However, at the presentation, Apple emphasized that the new feature will only store data locally on the user’s device, unlike Windows Recall.
Image Source: Apple/YouTube
As a reminder, Windows Recall is an artificial intelligence-based feature in Windows 11 that constantly takes snapshots of the user’s desktop, allowing you to “rewind time” in the future and return to a particular moment in the past. Critics were quick to point out that the feature did nothing to hide sensitive information such as banking information, passwords or medical records. In addition, concerns have arisen that this data may be stored on Microsoft servers.
Microsoft was quick to assure users that all Recall data is stored locally. However, this has raised new concerns regarding the fact that attackers who have gained unauthorized access to a computer can easily copy all private information.
At the presentation, Apple briefly mentioned the new semantic search feature in iOS. “If you need to quickly find important information but don’t remember where it’s stored, Siri uses your personal semantic index to quickly find the information you need,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing. Apparently, the function works almost the same as Windows Recall. That is, Siri analyzes information on the device and finds the necessary data at the user’s request.
The only difference is that Apple immediately dotted all the i’s: the information is stored on the user’s device and is not sent to the cloud. Despite the obvious similarities in functionality, Apple’s semantic search has not yet generated the same public outcry as Windows Recall.